Blueprint Calls for New Service Pipes, More
Modern Facilities
JACKSON, Mich.,
Dec. 16,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy today announced
new plans to continue modernizing and strengthening its natural gas
system that heats over 1.8 million Michigan homes and businesses. Upcoming
investments will replace up to 10,000 decades-old natural gas
service lines that directly serve customers, plus put valves on
major pipelines that can be remotely operated to respond to
emergencies.
"This month's cold weather provides a real-life reminder of the
need for a strong natural gas system that keeps our friends and
neighbors warm," said Holly Bowers,
Consumers Energy's vice president of gas engineering and supply.
"Our Natural Gas Delivery Plan is ensuring our system remains
safe in all weather, while continuing to get cleaner for
Michigan's environment and costing
the typical household less than $3 a
day."
Consumers Energy provides natural gas to over 1.8 million homes
and businesses, over 1 million of them in Southeast Michigan. In all, the company's
natural gas team of some 2,000 employees serves customers in 45
counties.
Highlights of the Natural Gas Delivery Plan:
- Replacing up to 10,000 vintage service lines that go directly
to homes and businesses, modernizing and reducing the system's risk
of gas leaks, and continuing to upgrade the distribution lines
connected to those services.
- With the recently completed Mid-Michigan Pipeline, Consumers
Energy has now upgraded hundreds of miles of the transmission
pipeline system that carries natural gas across the state.
- Installing remote control valves in our transmission system to
quickly isolate the system when unexpected conditions
occur. This work should be complete by the mid-2030s.
- Modernizing gas delivery hubs called "city gates" and pressure
regulation facilities to ensure gas flows safely and reliably to
customers. These major facilities should be fully modernized in the
next decade.
To continue making these improvements, Consumers Energy today is
filing a $248 million natural gas rate request with the
Michigan Public Service Commission. The request will be reviewed,
and, if approved, there would be no impact on customers' bills
until late 2025.
"Consumers Energy is honored to serve so many Michiganders who
count on us, which is why we're working for today and the long term
to upgrade our system to deliver natural gas dependably," said
Chris Fultz, Consumers Energy's vice
president of natural gas operations. "When you see Consumers Energy
employees at work, you can be sure we're making our system safe and
secure to serve you for years to come."
Consumers Energy is Michigan's
largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity
to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower
Peninsula counties. We take seriously our responsibility to provide
that gas to millions of customers that need it from us, and that is
why we're making our system stronger, safer and more affordable
than ever before.
For more information about Consumers Energy, go to
ConsumersEnergy.com.
Check out Consumers Energy on Social
Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan
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SOURCE Consumers Energy