Consumers Energy Maximizing Underground Natural Gas Storage to Benefit Michigan Residents

Storage System Saved Customers $295 Million Last Winter

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Oct 13, 2014, 06:00 ET

JACKSON, Mich., Oct. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Homes and businesses served with natural gas from Consumers Energy saved about $295 million during last winter's polar vortex due to the energy provider's extensive underground storage system.

"Our storage system, one of the largest in the U.S., protected homeowners and businesses from higher heating bills last winter," said Tim Sparks, Consumers Energy's vice president for energy supply operations.

"We buy gas in the summer when it's less expensive and inject that into our 15 storage fields. This protects customers because it significantly reduces our need to buy gas in the winter when it's usually more expensive."

Consumers Energy is investing more in its gas storage system to benefit the 1.7 million homes and businesses it serves. That includes investments to increase the safety, deliverability and flexibility of the system. Natural gas storage provides over one-half of Consumers Energy's gas supply in the winter, and up to 80 percent on the coldest days.

"Gas prices are still historically low – lower than they were five or 10 years ago," noted Sparks. "The average home spends $3 a day throughout the year for natural gas. We can help people to manage and lower their bills through energy efficiency, payment arrangements, and assistance for those in financial need."

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.

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ENERGY ANSWERS: We offer 100 ways to save, plus more information to help keep your energy bills low: www.ConsumersEnergy.com/energyanswers

VIDEO: How natural gas is stored: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DprsWi_Jpxo&list=UUcY8jz-LKzbKwuXz9tpSXJw

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