Go Green! Consumers Energy Expands Residential Renewable Energy Options for All Michiganders

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy has announced two major renewable energy initiatives in Michigan. The first, 'Green Giving', is a pioneering program allowing low-income customers to benefit from renewable energy projects through community-sponsored subscriptions, offering monthly bill credits of $10-$20. Eligible customers must have income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

The second initiative is an expanded Residential Renewable Energy Program available to all income levels, where customers can choose their subscription level through a website tool. These programs support the company's Clean Energy Plan, which aims to eliminate coal by 2025 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions. By 2040, over 60% of their electric capacity will come from renewable sources.

Consumers Energy serves 6.8 million residents across Michigan's Lower Peninsula, targeting 90% of customers' energy needs through clean sources including wind and solar.

Positive

• Launch of Green Giving program providing $10-$20 monthly savings for low-income customers
• Expansion of Residential Renewable Energy Program to all income levels
• Strong progress toward clean energy transition with coal elimination by 2025
• Large customer base of 6.8 million residents across Michigan

Negative

• Significant infrastructure investment needed to achieve 60% renewable capacity by 2040
• Program benefits dependent on renewable energy market prices and generation capacity

News Market Reaction

-0.03%

1 alert

-0.03% News Effect

On the day this news was published, CMS declined 0.03%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Income qualified customers can now join other residential and
business customers in participating in Michigan's clean energy future

JACKSON, Mich., March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy today announced two major milestones in its commitment to renewable energy. Michigan's largest energy provider is expanding its renewable offerings with the launch of "Green Giving", a one-of-a-kind program that allows everyone to contribute to our renewable energy future.

"Green Giving" saves low-income customers money and provides access to the financial and environmental benefits from renewable energy projects with the help of community sponsored dollars. It means that regardless of income or location, customers can count on Consumers Energy and each other to be part of our clean energy future.

Here's how it will work:

• Consumers Energy builds renewable resources – large scale wind or solar projects.
• The company utilizes sponsored dollars from those wanting to help fund low-income customer subscriptions tied to our projects.
• Consumers Energy, alongside our community-based organization agency partners, enrolls eligible customers to subscribe to renewable resources.
• Those resources then generate clean electricity, which is sold back into the grid.
• Then, the value we receive from renewable energy sales, gets passed along to those customers enrolled in "Green Giving" through a direct line-item credit on their bills of $10-$20/month.

"Green Giving is a game-changer! We're thrilled to empower our most vulnerable customers with access to clean energy and cost savings. Together, we're making Michigan's renewable energy future brighter for everyone," said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy's vice president of customer experience.

Whether you're a homeowner or a renter, anyone with income of 200% or lower of the federal poverty level who has already been deemed eligible for other qualifying Consumers Energy programs will be enrolled or will have the opportunity to enroll.

In addition to this new option for low-income residents, Consumers Energy, today also announced its new cost-effective option for residential customers of any income level wanting to help protect the planet.

Consumers Energy's robust and economical Residential Renewable Energy Program, now available to homeowners, allows customers to choose their commitment level. Utilizing our user-friendly website tool, customers can elect how much renewable energy they'd like to subscribe to based on the amount they elect to pay each month. Consumers Energy then determines credits in return, based on renewable energy generated and sold back into the grid.

The new Residential Renewable Energy Program follows the successful launch of our Solar Gardens program, which this year has peaked in participation since launching in 2016, as Consumers Energy continues to grow interest in renewable energy.

The expansion of these two milestone renewable energy offerings are key components in Consumers Energy's Clean Energy Plan announced in 2021, which is the company's commitment to protect the environment for future generations.

By 2040, clean, renewable fuel sources will comprise more than 60 percent of our electric capacity. Combining that growth with advances in energy storage and customer energy efficiency will allow Consumers Energy to meet customer needs and ultimately save customers money through a variety of programs like these.

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's Clean Energy Plan calls for eliminating coal as an energy source in 2025, achieving net-zero carbon emissions and meeting 90% of customers' energy needs through clean sources, including wind and solar.

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

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media

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

FAQ

What are the monthly savings for low-income customers under Consumers Energy's Green Giving program?

Eligible customers can receive direct line-item credits of $10-$20 per month on their bills through the Green Giving program.

What is Consumers Energy's renewable energy target for 2040?

By 2040, clean renewable fuel sources will comprise more than 60% of Consumers Energy's electric capacity.

When will Consumers Energy eliminate coal as an energy source?

Consumers Energy plans to eliminate coal as an energy source by 2025 as part of their Clean Energy Plan.

What percentage of Michigan residents does Consumers Energy serve?

Consumers Energy serves 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents (68%) across all Lower Peninsula counties.

What is the income requirement for the Green Giving program eligibility?

Customers must have income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level to be eligible for the Green Giving program.