Heating Costs to be Lower for Consumers Energy Natural Gas Customers This Winter; Gas Prices Down From Year Ago

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Oct 26, 2010, 06:00 ET

JACKSON, Mich., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy's natural gas customers can expect to pay about 3 percent less for heating costs for this winter.

The lower cost forecast reflects reduced gas prices, which are down about 5 percent compared to a year ago. Gas costs make up about 70 percent of the average monthly bill for a typical residential customer. The remainder of the bill is comprised of customer and distribution costs.

"We're working hard to ensure that our natural gas customers receive good value for their energy dollar," said Dan Malone, Consumers Energy's senior vice president of distribution and customer operations.

The utility provides natural gas service to 1.7 million customers in 45 counties in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. An average residential customer can expect to pay a typical monthly bill of about $148 this winter.

Consumers Energy recommends that customers to take advantage of several energy efficiency programs now available. Information on these programs can be accessed at www.consumersenergy.com

Customers anticipating a bill payment problem should contact Consumers Energy at 1-800-477-5050 for information on assistance programs. "We urge customers to contact us to receive help and bill payment information," noted Malone.

Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and electricity to nearly 6.5 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, visit our Website at www.consumersenergy.com

SOURCE Consumers Energy