Consumers Energy Moving Rapidly to Clean Michigan's Air -- Nearing Completion of $250 Million Project

200 Construction Jobs at Company's Largest Power Plant

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Aug 26, 2014, 06:00 ET

ESSEXVILLE, Mich., Aug. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Michigan's progress on cleaner air is making a big jump forward as Consumers Energy rapidly completes a $250 million technology upgrade at the Karn/Weadock complex, its largest power plant.

"We're cleaning Michigan's air, putting people to work and providing reliable energy for customers," said Dennis Dobbs, Consumers Energy's vice president of generation engineering and services. "That's all part of our Promise to provide you the energy you need, whenever you need it."

"As part of our commitment to Pure Michigan Business Connect to strengthen our state's economy, this project has averaged 200 building trades jobs during construction," said Dobbs. Moran Iron Works, Barton Malow and Conti Electric are examples of local and Michigan contractors supporting clean air work at Karn/Weadock.

The project puts Consumers Energy ahead of schedule in meeting clean air standards for mercury and air toxins by April 16, 2015 for the Karn plant, which accounts for about 25 percent of the energy generated by the company.

Consumers Energy is utilizing a proven, state of the art spray dry absorption technology that is highly reliable and cost effective in meeting the new clean air standards.

"1.8 million homes and businesses expect us to provide safe, reliable, affordable and increasingly clean energy. This project helps to provide the energy Michigan needs and protect Michigan's environment," said Dobbs.

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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Karn Unit 1's Spray Dry Absorber is in start-up operation
It's expected to achieve 95% removal of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and other acid gases from the flue gas emissions
Karn Unit 2's Spray Dry Absorber will be commissioned in the first quarter of 2015
The SDAs include lime processing and byproduct handling systems for control of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions
The technology has an economic life targeted at 30 years

ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT IS ONLINE: Consumers Energy's 2014 Accountability Report http://www.consumersenergy.com/content.aspx?id=6516

REDUCING WATER USE: Learn more about Consumers Energy's commitment to reduce water use: http://www.consumersenergy.com/News.aspx?id=7157&year=2014

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.

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 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 Consumers Energy's Form 10-K each for the year ended December 31, 2013 and as updated in Consumers Energy's subsequent Forms 10-Q.

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

SOURCE Consumers Energy