Consumers Energy recognized for green energy and safety achievements

For the third year in a row, Consumers Energy was recognized for being among the top 6 percent of global utilities for its sustainable environmental, social and economic practices.

Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, remains committed to delivering energy from green sources and placing safety practices as a top priority. According to global research firm Sustainalytics, Consumers Energy marks high for environmental, safety and business ethics practices, having the safest year in company history by way of employee injuries.

“Our company’s commitment to sustainability is shared by all of our employees, and we don’t expect it to end,” Dennis Dobbs, Consumers Energy’s vice president of enterprise project management, engineering and services, said.

“We have stayed true to our commitment to serve Michigan homes and businesses in a way that reflects the highest ethical values, providing energy for our customers today and building a foundation for tomorrow with our actions,” Dobbs said.

During 2016, Consumers Energy and its charitable foundations and employees are expected to provide more than $10 million in contributions and volunteer hours to Michigan nonprofit organizations.  Consumers Energy closed seven coal-fired generating units and opened its first two solar power plants at Grand Valley State and Western Michigan universities. It is also looking to expand its Cross Winds Energy Park. Next year, the company also expects to buy electricity from a new, 100-megawatt wind farm being built in Michigan.

Consumers Energy, a unit of CMS Energy, is working to strengthen Michigan’s future energy supply by preparing renewable energy sources and energy efficiency programs set to replace the Palisades Nuclear Plant, which is expected to close at the end of 2018.