Consumers Energy Employees Celebrate 125 Years of Service to Customers and State of Michigan

--LOOKING BACK WITH PRIDE; LOOKING FORWARD WITH EXCITEMENT--

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Jun 20, 2012, 10:00 ET

JACKSON, Mich., June 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- At a special event in Consumers Energy's hometown today, employees, retirees and their families celebrated the privilege of serving customers and the State of Michigan for 125 years.

"Consumers Energy employees are grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Michigan for 125 years with electric and natural gas service. Today, in our hometown of Jackson where our company began, we're celebrating this history and focusing on adding value to our customers," said John Russell, Consumers Energy's president and chief executive officer.

Today's events, held at the utility's One Energy Plaza headquarters, began with a musical fanfare composed for the occasion by Dr. Bruce Brown, chair of the music department at Spring Arbor University and composer-in-residence with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. Entitled "Let There Be Light," the three-minute composition was performed by members of the orchestra's brass section.

Activities also included an unveiling of a series of historical markers identifying key moments in Consumers Energy's history. These markers are available for public viewing and are located on the west side of the headquarters building. In addition, a time capsule containing company-related materials provided by employees and retirees was buried, to be unearthed in 2112.

The national "firsts" achieved by Consumers Energy in its 125 years include:

In 1899, first to demonstrate that electricity could be delivered over high-voltage electric transmission through a 24-mile transmission line from Trowbridge hydroelectric dam on the Kalamazoo River to Kalamazoo.
In 1907, first transmission of electricity at 110,000 volts, from a transmission line at Croton hydroelectric dam on the Muskegon River.
In 1927, first electric service to rural customers when the Mason-Dansville power line is activated.
In 1949, first and only U.S. electric utility to serve 100,000 farm customers.
In 1973, the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant, the largest of its kind in the world, begins serving customers. Jointly owned with Detroit Edison, Consumers Energy operates this facility, which is currently undergoing an $800 million upgrade.
In 1990, first conversion of an idled nuclear plant project, the Midland Cogeneration Venture, to a natural gas combined-cycle facility.
In 2006, first commercial nuclear plant site restored to greenfield when Big Rock Point completes a nine-year restoration project.

Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), provides natural gas and electricity to 6.8 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