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Consumers Energy Expands Initiative to Bury Power Lines Across Michigan
JACKSON, Mich., Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Consumers Energy has initiated a significant infrastructure project aimed at burying power lines in four communities throughout Michigan, a strategic move in line with the company’s Reliability Roadmap. The project is set to unfold today and will progress over the next two months, with plans to bury a total of 10 miles of power lines this year.
Chris Laird, the vice president of electric operations at Consumers Energy, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Consumers Energy is delivering on our promise to bury more power lines. This effort not only fortifies the reliability of the power grid but also ensures that our customers maintain power even in the face of severe storms.” He further noted that this project marks the beginning of ongoing upgrades, with further expansions planned for the coming years.
The current efforts involve teams working in Allegan and Allendale, located in Ottawa County, with upcoming activities in Hillsdale and Saugatuck. The total investment in this pilot program amounts to $3.7 million, which includes a recent project near Standish in Arenac County.
In an ambitious goal, Consumers Energy aims to bury 1,000 miles of power lines over the next five years. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to restore power within 24 hours for all customers, even following the most severe weather events.
The approach outlined in the Reliability Roadmap includes not only the burial of power lines but also enhanced line clearing, the adoption of advanced technology, and the installation of more resilient iron poles. Additionally, innovative tools such as robotic technology are being explored to improve service delivery.
Laird explained, “Burying power lines is a key component of our strategy, but it is not our sole method. We are eager to extend these enhancements to additional communities and leverage alternative solutions when burying lines is not feasible due to cost or other considerations. Our priority is to effectively serve the nearly 2 million homes and businesses that rely on our services.”
As the largest energy provider in Michigan, Consumers Energy serves approximately 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents across all 68 counties in the Lower Peninsula. The company’s foremost goal remains to provide reliable, clean, and affordable energy around the clock.
For more information regarding Consumers Energy and its initiatives, visit ConsumersEnergy.com.
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