Consumers Energy Adding Nearly 300 Employees to Build and Replace Gas Lines in Michigan, Creating Job Opportunities and Improving Customer Safety

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Jul 29, 2013, 06:00 ET

JACKSON, Mich., July 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy is strengthening its commitment to customer safety and expanding its workforce by hiring nearly 300 people to build and replace gas pipelines.

Consumers Energy is currently seeking applicants to fill 144 positions, and it initially filled 150 positions to carry out pipeline work in Michigan this year.

The positions are being created as part of a planned $60 million investment in gas pipeline work this year. In 2014, that investment is expected to climb to $116 million.

"Our promise is to continue to work for safe communities, meeting our customers' expectations that we deliver reliable gas service," said Michele Kirkland, vice president of energy operations. "These ongoing investments will improve our system's reliability and help our communities grow by putting Michigan residents to work."

Consumers Energy is actively promoting these available positions. The company will hold job fairs in Flint and Battle Creek on Saturday, Aug. 3. Information about these positions is available online at www.consumersenergy.com. Click on the "Careers" tab.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in Rule 3b-6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Rule 175 of the Securities Act of 1933, and relevant legal decisions. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements should be considered in the context of the risk and other factors detailed from time to time in CMS Energy's and Consumers Energy's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction with "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION" and "RISK FACTORS" sections of CMS Energy's Form 10-K and Consumers Energy's Form 10-K each for the year ended December 31, 2012 and as updated in CMS Energy's and Consumers Energy's Forms 10-Q.

CMS Energy's and Consumers Energy's "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION" and "RISK FACTORS" sections are incorporated herein by reference and discuss important factors that could cause CMS Energy's and Consumers Energy's results to differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

For more information regarding Consumers Energy, visit us at: www.consumersenergy.com or join us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan

SOURCE Consumers Energy