Consumers Energy Working with Michigan International Speedway and Race Fans to Reduce Energy Usage

Sponsorship starts with this weekend's Quicken Loans 400

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Jun 13, 2014, 06:00 ET

JACKSON, Mich., June 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy is sponsoring Michigan International Speedway, helping race fans – and Michigan's premier racetrack – to save energy. That begins with this weekend's Quicken Loans 400.

"We're thrilled to be part of this race weekend and to provide useful information about energy efficiency to tens of thousands of people at MIS," said Patti Poppe, Consumers Energy's vice president of customer experience, rates and regulation. "We've helped Michigan residents and businesses save $575 million through our energy efficiency efforts since 2009, and know they can do much more long after the checkered flag is waved on Sunday."

Consumers Energy is working to help Michigan International Speedway reduce its energy usage to save money and to build on the racetrack's commitment to sustainability.

Consumers Energy will be sponsoring the racetrack this weekend and through the Pure Michigan 400 in August, and expects to provide updates on Michigan International Speedway's energy-saving accomplishments before the August race.

"We are committed to providing a world-class race experience, to fueling Michigan's economy and to doing all we can for the good of the environment," said Roger Curtis, Michigan International Speedway president. "We want our fans to come away thrilled with the race experience and the energy savings that they can experience in their home or business."

Consumers Energy is reaching out to race fans all weekend, providing energy-saving tips, including a direct outreach to the thousands who are camping around the racetrack.

The energy provider is providing these five tips to save energy to people traveling out of town to Michigan International Speedway – or to any destination on vacation:

Water heater – If you have a tank unit, your water heater will continue heating water while you are away. Adjust the temperature setting as low as possible.
Refrigerator – If you are leaving for a short period, conserve energy by adjusting the thermostat on your refrigerator and freezer to higher settings – 38 degrees for the refrigerator and 5 degrees for the freezer.
Air conditioner – There is no need to cool an empty house. Turn off your air conditioner or set the thermostat to 85 degrees or higher.
Lights – Install timers on indoor and outdoor lights, and set them to turn the lights on for a few hours each night.
Electronics – Digital displays and instant-on features continue to use energy whether you are home or not. Unplug all electronic devices before you leave.

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
SAVE ENERGY: Learn to manage your energy usage and get all your energy questions answered: www.ConsumersEnergy.com/saveenergy
MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY: Learn more about MIS: www.mispeedway.com

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