Michigan International Speedway, Consumers Energy Donate 50,000 Trees to be Planted Across Michigan

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Apr 24, 2015, 04:12 ET

LANSING, Mich., April 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Michigan International Speedway and Consumers Energy today announced a joint venture to plant 50,000 trees across Michigan during the Michigan Arbor Day Celebration.

The two companies formed a partnership to provide 50,000 trees to the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts to be planted across Michigan. It is part of an effort between the track and energy provider to get On Track to a Greener Michigan.

"MIS takes great pride in knowing that our green initiatives have made a significant, positive impact to the environment and sport of auto racing, and we continue to do different things to move forward with those initiatives," MIS President Roger Curtis said. "It's the right thing to do to protect our environment. Our brand at MIS is very much an environmentally friendly one and our partnership with Consumers Energy makes that even easier."

"We have adopted sustainability as a company-wide goal. Our employees do their jobs with a fundamental commitment to leave our company and state better than we found them," said Garrick Rochow, Consumers Energy's vice president and chief customer officer. "With the help of Michigan International Speedway, we are striving to fulfill the needs and wants of our generation without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same."

The 50,000 white pine trees were split among all 78 conservation districts throughout Michigan. The districts have already planted many of the allocated pines this spring during peak planting times in publicly accessible areas that can be enjoyed by everybody. The remaining trees will be planted in the fall when conditions are more conducive to the survival of trees.

As part of its ongoing efforts to improve the environment, MIS annually introduces programs that have made an immediate impact on the environment.

Michigan International Speedway last year became the largest participant in Consumers Energy's Green Generation program, matching 100 percent of its electricity use with renewable energy. More than 18,000 homes and businesses in Michigan participate in Green Generation, contributing each month to purchase power from renewable sources, all made in Michigan. Consumers Energy will continue to educate guests at MIS about energy efficiency in their own homes.

MIS is the first facility in all of motorsports and one of the first sporting venues in the country to join the EPA's Green Power Partnership and offset its energy use from green power. The track uses nearly 5 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of green power annually.

The announcement was part of the 20th annual Michigan Arbor Day Celebration at Potter Park in Lansing, Michigan. This event brought over 1,100 students and 24 organizations from throughout mid-Michigan to celebrate trees and natural resources.

"MADA is excited to partner with Michigan International Speedway and Consumers Energy in this great initiative," State Arbor Day Coordinator Jennifer Hunnell said. "Planting trees and being good caretakers of our natural resources is what MADA is all about. This is a fantastic way to expand our presence in the state, and we thank MIS and Consumers for this opportunity."

The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance is a coalition of organizations and agencies dedicated to the promotion and celebration of Arbor Day throughout Michigan. The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance is a program of the Eaton Conservation District in Charlotte, Michigan and is made possible through a partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It's the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 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.

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SOURCE Consumers Energy