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Consumers Energy's Commitment to Power Reliability

In 2024, Consumers Energy made remarkable strides in enhancing the reliability of its electric grid, benefiting close to 2 million homes and businesses throughout Michigan. The utility company has successfully decreased the average power outage duration by 21 minutes, effectively reducing the inconvenience faced by its customers. This improvement is part of Consumers Energy's ongoing Reliability Roadmap, which aims to strengthen the electric infrastructure and ensure a steady supply of power.

A Positive Impact

With over 93% of customers experiencing power restoration within 24 hours, the utility has significantly outperformed the previous year’s figures, where only 87% of outages were resolved within the same timeframe. Greg Salisbury, the vice president of grid design at Consumers Energy, expressed excitement about these advancements, stating, "We’re thrilled to better serve our friends and neighbors through our Reliability Roadmap. Despite facing formidable weather challenges, we’ve moved closer to our goals that contribute to the quality of life in Michigan communities."

This year’s accomplishments come after the company has invested considerable resources and planning efforts to tackle the challenges presented by extreme weather conditions such as storms and tornadoes. The Reliability Roadmap outlines long-term objectives, including keeping power outages affecting fewer than 100,000 customers and restoring electricity swiftly even during crisis situations.

Tracking Improvements

In normal weather scenarios, Consumers Energy customers experienced an average of 155 minutes without power last year—down from 176 minutes. This 12% reduction marks the greatest enhancement in power reliability witnessed over the past decade. Chris Laird, vice president of electric distribution, emphasized the critical importance of providing a reliable power supply by stating, "We understand how crucial it is to keep the lights on for our communities who rely on us, and we strive to improve every day."

The utility has undertaken over 1,350 major upgrades and has proactively cleared trees, branches, and debris along a staggering 7,000 miles of power lines in the past year. In addition to the traditional upgrades, Consumers Energy has been integrating new technologies, using infrared cameras to detect potential issues, and even deploying advanced tools such as robotic dogs to enhance maintenance and monitoring capabilities.

Consumers Energy's Role in Michigan

As Michigan's largest energy supplier, Consumers Energy provides natural gas and electricity to around 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents across 68 counties in the Lower Peninsula. Their commitment includes not only ensuring reliable electricity but also delivering clean and affordable energy to customers 24/7.

Mark your calendars! With ambitious plans set for 2025 and beyond, Consumers Energy is determined to build upon the significant improvements made in 2024. For more information or to stay updated on their progress, customers can visit ConsumersEnergy.com or follow them on social media platforms for the latest updates and news releases.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Consumers Energy’s Reliability Roadmap demonstrates a robust commitment to enhancing the quality of service for its customers. With proactive investments and technological advancements, Consumers Energy is ensuring a brighter and more reliable energy future for Michigan residents.