Consumers Energy deploying 1,200 replacement iron utility poles throughout Michigan
As a way to counteract increased cases of severe weather, Consumers Energy of Michigan recently bought 1,200 iron utility poles it intends to dispatch throughout the state as long-lasting replacements for traditional wooden poles.
“These new iron poles will fortify our infrastructure, reducing the number of times that homes and businesses lose power,” Greg Salisbury, Consumers Energy’s vice president of electric distribution engineering, said. “Their ability to withstand the elements will protect the power lines and help to reduce customer outages in the future.”
In all, the company paid out $3.5 million for these poles, as a way to improve reliability and keep its overhead power lines secure. The first poles will go to Kalamazoo, Greenville and Tawas, Michigan. From there, additional poles will be dispatched to other areas throughout the Consumers service territory.
“Installing these initial iron poles is another meaningful step toward modernizing the grid and improving reliability for our customers,” said Chris Laird, Consumers Energy’s vice president of electric operations. “When the weather is good, you’ll see our crews busy at work this year installing poles safely and quickly to make sure we’re ready for storms.”
More than 1,000 of these should be installed this year, and all should last more than 80 years – approximately double the life of their forebears. They’re stronger and lighter, less vulnerable to decay or wildlife, and better able to resist fire. Consumers noted the move would also allow the company to avoid the increasing wood prices nationwide.
