Consumers Energy Makes Improvements to 2026 Storm Response

CMS highlights faster power restoration in 2026 storms, citing recent grid and operations investments that reduced outage durations for customers.

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy (CMS) reported improved storm restoration performance across most 2026 severe weather events versus comparable 2023 and 2025 storms.

For March 2026 storms, 80% of 340,000 affected customers were restored within 24 hours, a 16% improvement over a more impactful March 2025 storm and 26% better than a catastrophic February 2023 event. In June 2026, when 238,000 customers lost power, 91% were restored within 24 hours, which the company said was 35% better than similarly impactful May 2025 and August 2023 storms.

Consumers Energy attributes faster restoration to accelerated investment in tree trimming, stronger poles and equipment, grid technology, advanced weather forecasting, and improved crew positioning.

Positive

• March 2026 storms: 80% of 340,000 customers restored within 24 hours, 16% faster than March 2025 and 26% better than February 2023
• June 2026 storms: 91% of 238,000 customers restored within 24 hours, 35% faster than similarly impactful 2025 and 2023 storms
• July 1–7, 2026 severe weather: 71% of impacted customers restored within 24 hours and 87% within 48 hours
• September 3–4, 2026 event: over 90% of affected customers restored within 8 hours and 97% within 12 hours
• Grid investments: accelerated spending on tree trimming, stronger poles, grid technology and forecasting tied to faster restoration

Negative

• None.

News Explained

The Sept. 22 analysis adds preliminary results from later 2026 events: 71% of customers affected during the July 1–7 severe-weather period were restored within 24 hours and 87% within 48 hours; after the September 3–4 event, over 90% were restored within 8 hours and 97% within 12 hours.

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Despite challenging weather conditions, customers spent less time without power in large storms this year

JACKSON, Mich., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A Consumers Energy analysis released today showed the energy provider's customer-centered storm execution resulted in faster restoration times during a vast majority of storms this year. The analysis found Consumers Energy customers spent less time without power during March and June storms than they did in similarly impactful storms in 2023 and 2025.

"In the last three years, Consumers Energy has accelerated its investment in tree trimming, installing stronger poles and equipment, grid technology, advanced weather forecasting, and the positioning of crews and delegating resources, which have proven to speed restoration for our customers," said Norm Kapala, one of Consumers Energy's officers in charge of storm response. 

When damaging winds, snow and ice swept across the state in March 2026, 80% of the 340,000 impacted customers were restored within 24 hours. That's 16% better than an even more impactful storm the March prior and a 26% improvement from the catastrophic February 2023 storm.

Similarly, in June 2026, when 238,000 customers lost power due to tornadoes and damaging winds, 91% of customers were restored within 24 hours. That's 35% better than even more impactful storms in May 2025 and August 2023.

"Consumers Energy knows being without power is an inconvenience. That's why we have acted on the opportunity to further strengthen storm readiness and customer experience improvements so we can do better," said Greg Salisbury, senior vice president, electric distribution for Consumers Energy. "This analysis proves our customer-centered strategy is working and we're delivering on the commitment of our Reliability Roadmap."

Even during the period of severe weather that followed a pattern of several days of extreme heat July 1-7 of this year, preliminary data shows 71% of all impacted customers were restored in 24 hours and 87% of customers were restored within 48 hours. Restoration was even faster during the most recent September 3-4 severe weather event, with over 90% of affected customers restored within 8 hours and 97% were restored in 12 hours. 

"At the end of the day, keeping the lights on is job #1 for us," Salisbury added. "We'll continue to look for ways to utilize all the resources at our disposal to affirm that commitment."

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. We are committed to delivering reliable and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

Learn the facts on Consumers Energy's commitment to reliable, affordable energy at ConsumersEnergy.com 

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SOURCE Consumers Energy

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What operational changes does Consumers Energy link to faster storm restoration in 2026?

The company cites accelerated investment in tree trimming, installing stronger poles and equipment, deploying grid technology, improving advanced weather forecasting, and changing how it positions crews and delegates resources. Consumers Energy states these actions have helped speed up power restoration for customers during recent storms.

How did Consumers Energy perform during July 1–7, 2026 severe weather?

During the July 1–7, 2026 period of severe weather following several days of extreme heat, preliminary data show that 71% of all impacted customers were restored within 24 hours and 87% were restored within 48 hours.

What were the restoration times during the September 3–4, 2026 storm event?

For the September 3–4, 2026 severe weather event, restoration was faster, with over 90% of affected customers restored within 8 hours and 97% restored within 12 hours.

How many people does Consumers Energy serve in Michigan?

Consumers Energy is described as Michigan's largest energy provider, supplying natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents across all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.