Boy Scout Turns Chevrolet Volt Battery Covers into Homes for Bats at Consumers Energy Hydro Properties

JACKSON, Mich., July 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy's hydro properties will have more housing options available for bats thanks to a Boy Scout and electric car parts from General Motors.

For an Eagle Scout project, Matthew Netherland and some helpers built 22 bat boxes out of scrap Chevrolet Volt battery covers donated by GM which Consumers Energy will install on their property.

"This project connects a lot of environmental dots," said Rich Castle, Consumers Energy's natural resource manager for hydro generation. "Hydro dams generate clean electricity, and cars that run on electricity are a cleaner form of transportation. The battery covers from the electric-powered vehicles are being kept out of landfills, and by being utilized as bat homes they allow biodiversity to thrive along the river habitats that produce renewable energy."

About 100 or more bats can live in each bat box, which includes five chambers. Netherland, a friend and two adult mentors helped build 30 bat boxes in about two months, 22 of which will be installed by Consumers Energy.

"I'm thankful that GM had the perfect shell for the bat box plans, and that Consumers Energy has great locations to place the boxes," said Netherland from Boy Scout Troop 185 from Clarkston, Mich. "Both companies have been great to work with, very encouraging and generous."

"I'm so impressed by Matthew's energy and dedication to this project," said Emily McDonald, environmental engineer for GM who coordinated with Netherland on his project.  "We've worked with renowned bat experts on our bat house design and are grateful that we can partner with others who share our passion for conservation and will help us make a lasting impact. The Volt covers are made with durable material and will result in wildlife nesting opportunities for a long time."           

Consumers Energy and GM have both been recognized for their dedication to preserve natural resources, and properties for each company have received certification by the Wildlife Habitat Council. GM has built more than 520 wood duck, bat and bluebird nesting boxes from Volt battery covers, with many peppered throughout its facilities' grounds.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.5 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

Media toolkit:

PHOTOS: View and download photos from Consumers Energy's media gallery on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/consumersenergy/sets/72157634342591265/

LEARN MORE: Learn about Consumers Energy's Wildlife Habitat Council certification:  www.ConsumersEnergy.com/content.aspx?id=1528

VIDEO: Watch a video about another GM project for bat (and wood duck) houses:
www.fastlane.gm.com/2011/10/31/michigan-kids-go-batty-for-chevrolet-volt-battery-covers/

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConsumersEnergyMichigan and follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/ConsumersEnergy.

SOURCE Consumers Energy

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