CMS Energy’s Utility Unit, Consumers Energy, Declares Quarterly Dividends on Preferred Stock

The Board of Directors of Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, has declared regular quarterly dividends on both series of the utility’s preferred stock. The following dividends are payable April 1, 2011 to shareholders of record March 4, 2011: $1.04 per share on the $4.16 stock (NYSE:CMS_pa – News), and $1.125 per share on the $4.50 stock (NYSE:CMS_pb – News). Also, a dividend of $0.96875 per security on... Read more..

Gift of Energy Certificates Available This Holiday Season Through Consumers Energy

Holiday shoppers looking for a practical gift for a relative, neighbor or person in need might consider a Gift of Energy certificate from Consumers Energy. “There’s no gift more helpful than the gift of a warm home,” said Wayne Lynn, executive manager of customer service for Consumers Energy. “Buying a Gift of Energy certificate for someone in need is truly a heart-warming act this time of year. Many service clubs, charitable... Read more..

Consumers Energy Customers Urged to Keep Gas and Electric Meters Free of Snow, Ice

With wintry temperatures, cold and snow blanketing parts of Michigan, Consumers Energy is once again reminding its electric and gas customers to keep safety in mind by following some simple steps to keep their meters clear. One of the best ways customers can help ensure the safety of meter readers as well as the proper operation of natural gas and electric meters is by keeping the meters free of snow and ice buildup. Snow and ice can often hide potentially... Read more..

Consumers Energy Advances on Renewable Energy Plan, Secures 28,000 Acres for Wind Energy Development in Mason and Tuscola Counties

Consumers Energy has secured more than 28,000 acres of easements in Tuscola and Mason counties for potential wind generation development and is starting the process of testing sites. Construction started today on four meteorological towers in Mason County and three towers in Tuscola County. Construction of the towers, which are about 180 feet tall, is expected to be completed by the end of the year. In addition to the seven towers being constructed,... Read more..

Consumers Energy: Customers Should Expect a 7 Percent Increase in Winter Heating Bills, Down Sharply from Earlier Projections

Consumers Energy customers should expect to see their natural gas bills go up about 7 percent this winter, down sharply from the double-digit increases projected earlier this year. Consumers Energy estimated today that the typical residential customer will see an average bill of about $160 a month this winter compared to about $150 a month last winter. That estimate is based on normal temperatures for the five-month heating season, which runs from... Read more..

Turning Kids On to Energy: Consumers Energy’s New ‘Brain Station’ Promotes Efficiency and Environmental Awareness

Kids and students of any age can sharpen their knowledge of energy with a visit to Consumers Energy’s new and improved Brain Station at www.consumersenergy.com/kids launched during Energy Awareness Month. The Brain Station is an online place to have fun while learning about energy issues. In particular, the site brings attention to energy conservation and environmental awareness, utility career information, a number of downloadable lesson plans,... Read more..

New Energy Reform Law Increases Awareness of Utility Career Opportunities

A major new energy reform law is enhancing Consumers Energy’s efforts this month to help young people become aware of career opportunities in the utility field. The new law will allow Consumers Energy to fully implement its Growing Forward strategy, which calls for investing $6.4 billion in Michigan over the next five years, including investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, environmental and customer service enhancements, and new... Read more..

DCP Midstream Partners to Acquire Gas Gathering, Treating and Transportation Assets in Michigan for $145 Million

DCP Midstream Partners, LP announced it has entered into an agreement to purchase Michigan Pipeline & Processing, LLC (MPP), a privately held company engaged in natural gas gathering and treating services for natural gas produced from the Antrim Shale of northern Michigan and natural gas transportation within Michigan. The sellers are two privately held companies. Under the terms of the acquisition, the Partnership will pay a purchase price of... Read more..

ZigBee Smart Energy to Be Expanded for Wired Use on HomePlug

Today utilities led by American Electric Power, Consumers Energy, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Reliant Energy, Sempra, and Southern California Edison are working with the ZigBee® Alliance and the HomePlug® Powerline Alliance to develop a common application layer integrated solution for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and home area networks (HAN). Using the robust capabilities of the ZigBee Smart Energy public application profile as a... Read more..