Consumers Energy's 'Green Generation' Program Kicks Off, Customer Enrollment Will Help Grow Renewable Energy
September 29 2005 - 2:30PM
PR Newswire (US)
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Consumers
Energy's "Green Generation" program officially kicked off today at
a news conference at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
in Grand Rapids. The program encourages the utility's 1.8 million
electric customers to support the development of Michigan-based
renewable energy projects by enrolling in the program. Michigan
Public Service Commission Chairman, J. Peter Lark joined Grand
Rapids Mayor George Heartwell and John G. Russell, Consumers
Energy's president and chief operating officer, in signing up for
the program. "Every customer who participates in the Green
Generation program will make Michigan less dependent on traditional
fossil fuels that produce emissions and in the case of natural gas,
are increasingly in short supply," said Lark. "The result will be
improved electric reliability, a cleaner environment, and more jobs
for Michigan." Under the Green Generation program, Consumers
Energy's electric customers have the opportunity to support the
development of renewable energy projects by paying a small premium
on their monthly bill. Customers who voluntarily enroll in the
program have the option of paying $2.50 for a "GreenBlock" of 150
kilowatt-hours, or by matching 100 percent of their monthly use for
a premium of less than two cents per kilowatt-hour. "We've been
working with the Michigan Public Service Commission to identify
sound ways to offer our customers an opportunity to support the
expansion of renewable energy. The Commission's approval of our
Resource Conservation Plan and the Green Generation program are
important steps in this process," said Russell. "Consumers Energy
has a historic commitment to renewable sources. Five percent of our
current electric supply comes from renewable sources, which we
consider part of a balanced energy portfolio. We're glad that our
customers now have an opportunity to support Michigan-based
renewable energy projects," said Russell. Russell noted that the
Green Generation program funding comes from $5 million in annual
savings from the MPSC-approved Resource Conservation Plan, a nickel
per meter monthly charge previously approved by the MPSC, as well
as premiums paid by customers who enroll in the program. He noted
the premium is necessary because electricity from renewable sources
costs more than electricity from traditional power sources, such as
coal or nuclear. The utility has arranged supply contracts with
seven new independent renewable energy projects, representing
approximately 238,000 megawatt-hours of electric capacity, enough
to serve an estimated 30,000 customers. Approximately 75 percent of
the electric capacity from the new projects is from wind
generation, the remaining 25 percent capacity is from landfill gas
facilities. All of the projects will be located in Michigan's Lower
Peninsula. "A green environmental and economic future for Grand
Rapids depends on securing a consistent, affordable supply of
electricity from renewable resource generation. That's why my wife,
Susan, and I are joining Consumers Energy's Green Generation
program. We urge you to join us in making our community a model for
sustainability," said Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell.
Consumers Energy's electric customers will receive information
about the Green Generation program in their October bills.
Customers can enroll in the program on the utility's website at
http://www.consumersenergy.com/green . Consumers Energy, the
principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and
electricity to more than six million of the state's 10 million
residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. For more information
about Consumers Energy, visit our Website at
http://www.consumersenergy.com/ DATASOURCE: Consumers Energy
CONTACT: Jeff Holyfield, +1-517-788-2394, Dan Bishop,
+1-517-788-2395, or Timothy J. Pietryga, +1-616-530-4364, all of
Consumers Energy Web site: http://www.consumersenergy.com/
http://www.consumersenergy.com/green Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/203850.html
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