Agreement on Consumers Energy’s Long-Term Energy Plan Would Boost Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Michigan

Over the weekend a settlement agreement was reached by Consumers Energy and a diverse set of stakeholders on the utility’s integrated resource plan (IRP). If approved, the terms of the settlement would ensure that Consumers: retires Karn coal units 1 and 2 in 2023, conducts a robust early retirement analysis of Campbell coal units 1 and 2 in its next IRP, ramps up investment in energy efficiency and demand response, and greatly increases the use of solar and wind energy within its portfolio. Michigan Environmental Council, along with our partners the Natural Resource Defense Council and Sierra Club, intervened in Consumers' IRP proceeding at the Michigan Public Service Commission and signed onto the settlement agreement. MEC released the following statement in support:

“The settlement agreement reached by a diverse set of groups on Consumers’ integrated resource plan demonstrates clearly that Michigan can transition from uneconomic coal plants directly to efficiency and renewables while maintaining reliability and saving ratepayers money,” said Michigan Environmental Council Energy Policy and Legislative Affairs Director Charlotte Jameson. “If approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission, the settlement will ensure that Consumers’ customers realize the full clean air and affordability benefits that come when our utilities retire coal plants, ramp up energy waste reduction programs, and build out renewables instead of gas. While IRP proceedings don’t set precedent, we strongly urge DTE Energy to look to the Consumers plan and its heavy focus on truly clean energy to inform the IRP that DTE will file on March 29th.”