JACKSON, Mich., March 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy has named Bruce Rasher to lead the utility's efforts to expand its renewable energy portfolio. As manager of renewable energy, Rasher will be responsible for coordinating the utility's dealings with renewable energy developers, exploring opportunities for Consumers Energy to build its own renewable energy projects, and pursuing other business opportunities in the rapidly evolving renewable energy marketplace. Rasher, currently the director of economic development for Consumers Energy, will assume his new position on April 1. Rasher's previous duties at Consumers Energy included heading up the Company's real estate division and leading its brownfield redevelopment program. He also has worked on a number of environmental programs during his 30-year career at the utility. Rasher is a member of the Board of Directors for Oaklawn Hospital, in Marshall. He also served as a local elected official in Marshall, including two terms as mayor. Rasher will report to Jack Hanson, vice president of generation engineering and services. "Renewable energy sources already make up 5 percent of Consumers Energy's power portfolio. Bruce will focus on finding and developing more renewable energy sources to help us meet the steadily growing demand for electricity and our customers' expectations that renewable energy continue to be a key part of our balanced supply portfolio," Hanson said. "Bruce's background in economic development and his broad business background make him an ideal fit for this new position and I'm pleased that he'll be leading this important effort." Rasher holds a 1976 bachelor's degree from Michigan State University. He also earned a master's degree in business administration with an emphasis on finance from Western Michigan University's Haworth College of Business in 2002. He was a 1999 Fellow in the Michigan Political Leadership Program, at Michigan State University's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and electricity to nearly 6.5 million of Michigan'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, or , or Dan Bishop, +1-517-788-2395, both of Consumers Energy Web site: http://www.consumersenergy.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/203850.html

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