Michigan Homes, Businesses Save Over $1 Billion Through Consumers Energy's Energy Efficiency Programs

JACKSON, Mich., April 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Michigan homes and businesses have saved over $1 billion since 2009 through Consumers Energy's energy efficiency programs. The news comes as the company this month receives an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award for its work to reduce Michigan residents' energy use.

"Our energy efficiency programs continue to be a powerful tool for Michigan businesses and households, lowering costs and avoiding energy waste," said Garrick Rochow, Consumers Energy's vice president and chief customer officer.

"We are working hard to provide energy solutions to our customers, and are pleased to be recognized for the fourth time with an ENERGY STAR honor for our commitment to helping Michigan residents use less energy."

Michigan businesses and households have saved over $1 billion on their energy bills:

• Consumers Energy offers rebates on over 200 energy-efficient products, from light bulbs to insulation to furnaces, reducing energy waste.
• Customers have saved enough energy to power nearly 1 million homes and heat over 400,000 homes for a year.

Energy efficiency also creates jobs. Over 50,000 Michigan businesses have lowered costs through Consumers Energy's programs, saving money that is spent to put people to work. Consumers Energy works with Michigan-based energy efficiency contractors that provide customers with information about energy efficiency rebates and equipment.

Businesses can learn tips to lower their bills at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/startsaving.

"We have been serving Michigan for nearly 130 years and are committed to helping our communities to thrive. Energy efficiency is a success story that will continue to help employers hire people and households to live affordably," Rochow said.

"By continued collaboration with ENERGY STAR, Consumers Energy is helping Americans save money, save energy and do their part to reduce our nation's greenhouse gas emissions that exacerbate climate change," Gina McCarthy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator.

"I'm proud to recognize Consumers Energy with the highest form of ENERGY STAR recognition, as the winner of the 2016 Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award. Consumers Energy demonstrates a strong commitment to energy efficiency and to preserving a healthy planet for future generations."

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.

Media toolkit
LEARN MORE: How Consumers Energy's energy efficiency programs help Michigan homes and businesses manage energy use: www.ConsumersEnergy.com/save

NEWSLETTER: Consumers Energy's free monthly Energy Solutions email newsletter provides tips and updates on the latest in the world of energy efficiency. Sign up: www.ConsumersEnergy.com/newsletter

EE IN ACTION: See how one Kalamazoo business used energy efficiency to lower its bills: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmnar7B-Qno

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media
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SOURCE Consumers Energy

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