Consumers Energy Delivers on Commitment, Burying Power Lines in Four More Michigan Communities

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy is fulfilling its commitment to bury 10 miles of power lines in 2024 through its Reliability Roadmap. The company is currently working on projects in Allegan, Allendale, Hillsdale, and Saugatuck, investing $3.7 million in this pilot program. These efforts aim to strengthen the power grid and improve service reliability, even during severe storms.

As part of its long-term strategy, Consumers Energy plans to bury 1,000 miles of power lines within the next five years. This initiative is part of the company's goal to restore power to all customers within 24 hours after severe storms. The Reliability Roadmap also includes other tactics such as increased line clearing, new technology, and more durable iron poles.

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, serving 6.8 million residents across the state's Lower Peninsula.

Positive

• Investment of $3.7 million in power line burial projects
• Plan to bury 1,000 miles of power lines in the next five years
• Implementation of multiple strategies to improve grid reliability

Negative

• None.

Allegan, Allendale, Hillsdale and Saugatuck Projects Strengthen Grid

JACKSON, Mich., Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy will be carrying out work to bury power lines in four Michigan communities today and over the next two months, meeting a commitment to bury 10 miles of lines this year through its Reliability Roadmap.

"Consumers Energy is delivering on our promise to bury more power lines. This helps make the power grid stronger and, importantly, will help keep the lights on for customers, even during the most intense storms," said Chris Laird, Consumers Energy's vice president of electric operations. "This is only the start. We plan to take on more upgrades like this next year and in the years after that."

Consumers Energy crews are working in Allegan and Allendale (Ottawa County), and are about to start in Hillsdale and Saugatuck, burying overhead power lines and protecting them from Mother Nature. In all, the energy provider is spending $3.7 million through a pilot program this year, including a recent project near Standish in Arenac County.

VIDEO: "Our customers can count on us" - Consumers Energy crews bury lines

Within the next five years, Consumers Energy plans to bury 1,000 miles of power lines as part of the Reliability Roadmap. That's the company's long-term commitment to restore power to all customers within 24 hours, even after the most severe storms.

Other tactics in the Reliability Roadmap include increased line clearing, new technology, more durable iron poles and even a robotic dog.

"Burying power lines is an important part of our game plan, but it's worth understanding it's not the only approach," Laird said. "We're excited to bring these projects to more and more communities and, when burying lines isn't the best option due to cost or other reasons, we want to use other tools in our toolbox to better serve the nearly 2 million homes and businesses that count on us."

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

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

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergy
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/consumersenergy  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consumersenergy

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumers-energy-delivers-on-commitment-burying-power-lines-in-four-more-michigan-communities-302262622.html

SOURCE Consumers Energy

FAQ

How many miles of power lines does Consumers Energy plan to bury in 2024?

Consumers Energy plans to bury 10 miles of power lines in 2024 as part of its Reliability Roadmap commitment.

Which Michigan communities are part of Consumers Energy's current power line burial projects?

Consumers Energy is currently working on power line burial projects in Allegan, Allendale, Hillsdale, and Saugatuck.

What is the long-term goal of Consumers Energy's power line burial initiative?

Consumers Energy aims to bury 1,000 miles of power lines within the next five years as part of its long-term Reliability Roadmap strategy.

How much is Consumers Energy investing in its power line burial pilot program in 2024?

Consumers Energy is investing $3.7 million in its power line burial pilot program for 2024.