SWARTZ CREEK, Mich., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy today began the roll-out of $6 million in incentive checks by year-end for its energy efficiency program, part of Michigan's new energy reform law. More than $31 million in incentives will be distributed by Consumers Energy by the end of 2011 to business customers for energy efficiency projects. The first recipient is Swartz Creek Community Schools, which received an incentive check today for $2,137 for energy efficiency measures to control lighting. Chad Sexton, director of operations at Swartz Creek Schools, initiated the project earlier this year as part of an ongoing program to reduce energy usage at the schools. "At Gaines Elementary School we installed 22 occupancy sensors to control the lighting in 16 classrooms, four offices and two lunch areas. By using sensors to turn off the lights when no one is in the rooms we estimate our annual electric savings to be over $2,300 at just this one school," said Sexton. "The Consumers Energy Saving Solutions Program was an important part in getting this done. That program paid for more than 40 percent of this project. With tight budgets, this extra incentive helped us to get the project installed," said Sexton. Swartz Creek Community Schools Superintendent Jeff Pratt added: "We have taken on a tremendous amount of energy initiatives district-wide to reduce our costs and save taxpayers money in the long run. We are pleased to be the first district to receive an incentive from Consumers Energy." The energy efficiency project was completed by a local contractor, Owens Electric, of Grand Blanc. "Energy efficiency incentives are very helpful in selling these types of projects and in generating new business for my company," said owner Paul Owens. The incentives are offered under the Clean, Renewable, and Efficient Energy Act of 2008. "Consumers Energy's goal is to provide a reliable, cost effective supply of energy to power Michigan's future," said Jim Szymusiak, Consumers Energy's executive manager of business customer operations. "Our balanced approach is to develop renewable energy sources, build new clean coal generation to replace our aging power plants, and utilize energy optimization incentives to help our electric and natural gas customers become more efficient." Customers may learn more about out energy efficiency programs and how to apply for project incentives by visiting http://www.consumersenergy.com/. Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and electricity to more than six million of the state's nearly 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: Dan Bishop, +1-517-788-2395; Jeff Holyfield, +1-517-788-2394; or Mary Gust, +1-989-791-5871, all of Consumers Energy Web Site: http://www.consumersenergy.com/

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