Protect Michigan, Heed Warning on Electric Reliability

LANSING, Mich., May 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Patti Poppe, Consumers Energy's president and CEO-elect, urged members of the state Senate Energy Committee today to support SB437 and SB438 in order to ensure electric reliability and continue Michigan's strong economic rebound.

"We've heard from the federal grid operator that Michigan's electric reliability is now at risk. If we see a warning light flashing on the dash of our car, the prudent thing is to do something about it. There is now a light on the dash of our electric supply," said Poppe.

"As MISO's recent power supply auction demonstrated, market supplies are tightening and electric costs for retail open access customers are increasing," said Poppe. "Committee members have a legacy opportunity before them today to support a needed update in Michigan's energy laws. We urge them to act to prevent reliability problems, ensure investment in Michigan's energy infrastructure and eliminate an unfair cost-shifting subsidy that's currently in place when it comes to paying for the electric grid."

"Michigan does not allow uninsured drivers on our highways because they put all of us at risk. Out-of-state alternate energy suppliers are the uninsured drivers operating in our energy system. Consumers Energy has sufficient generation in place to reliably and affordably serve its customers now and into the future. These bills will require that alternate suppliers assure Michigan that they have enough in-state energy to serve their customers. This assurance is important, because if they're short, we're all short."

"By acting now and supporting these bills, your vote tells Michigan families and businesses that our state will have reliable electric service. Choosing not to act is a far greater risk than passing these bills. We simply want people who sell power in Michigan to be able to prove they can provide it," said Poppe.

"As an energy provider serving our state for nearly 130 years, Consumers Energy has demonstrated time and again that we keep our promises to Michigan and to our customers. Within just the past year we've played a key role in helping Michigan's economy grow by working with new manufacturers -- Brembo in Homer, Arauco in Grayling and Citic Dicastal in Greenville – as well as our existing manufacturing powerhouses in the auto, furniture, chemical and other industries, as they expand their operations. Keeping our economy on the right track means ensuring reliable, affordable and sustainable energy supplies going forward."

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.

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SOURCE Consumers Energy