Consumers Energy approved to invest $170M into Michigan natural gas system modernization

With approval from regulators, Consumers Energy announced last week that it would move forward with plans to invest $170 million into updating Michigan’s natural gas system.

Part of a larger, 10-year, $11 billion Natural Gas Delivery Plan, this investment will focus on three major areas: reliability, affordability, and clean energy transformation. Transmission infrastructure will be upgraded, compression and storage operations revamped, and aging distribution pipes replaced entirely.

“This investment directly supports a modern natural gas system by replacing pipes dating to the 1940s to ensure safe delivery of our customers’ need to heat their homes and businesses,” Chris Fultz, Consumers Energy’s vice president of gas operations, said. “A more reliable system keeps homes cozy in the winter and puts warm, home-cooked meals on the table for Michigan families. These critical upgrades will also help protect the environment by reducing emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide.”

As a result of the investments, customers will see changes to their bills beginning this October – the first change to Consumers natural gas rates since October 2020.

The company intends to invest $1 billion annually to upgrade the natural gas transmission, distribution, and storage system while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and analyzing the potential of renewable natural gas technologies. It will also commit nearly $12 million to new assistance for Michigan households.