Consumers Energy Gathering Opinions to Guide Planning Their Dams' Futures

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy has initiated a public feedback campaign concerning its 13 dams on five Michigan rivers. This initiative aims to gather opinions from local communities to inform future decisions as dam licenses expire between 2034 and 2041. The company has engaged Public Sector Consultants to facilitate surveys and community meetings from August to October 2022. Public input will guide operational strategies, emphasizing the significance of safety, regulatory compliance, and community impacts in their long-term planning.

Positive

• Active community engagement for future planning of hydro facilities.
• Hiring Public Sector Consultants for unbiased feedback collection.

Negative

• Licenses for dams beginning to expire from 2034, necessitating urgent planning.

Collecting Feedback from Community Meetings and Surveys

JACKSON, Mich., Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy is starting this month to gather opinions from the public about the 13 dams they own and operate on five Michigan rivers to help guide their decisions about the future of those electric generating facilities.

"We need to perform due diligence now as the licenses to operate our dams begin to expire in 12 years. We do not want to assume we know how individuals and communities feel about our dams as we develop plans to either continue investing in or remove any of our river hydro facilities," said Norm Kapala, vice president of generation operations at Consumers Energy. "We are keenly aware dams have great significance for local communities and impact recreation for Michigan residents and visitors statewide. Public input will be an important component in our long-term strategic planning regarding the future of our dams."

The energy provider hired Public Sector Consultants (PSC), a Lansing-based nonpartisan research and consulting firm that specializes in public engagement, to develop an adjacent property owner survey and conduct public meetings near each of Consumers Energy's dams from August through October this year with the goal of collecting unbiased feedback regarding the facilities. Anyone is welcome to attend any of the public community meetings. Owners of property adjacent to the dams should expect to receive the survey in the mail the week of August 15.

For community meeting details, to provide comments, and more information about the process access: ConsumersEnergy.com/HydroFuture.

Consumers Energy makes decisions based on the Triple Bottom Line that ensures benefits for people, the planet and Michigan's prosperity. Factors Consumers Energy considers in determining the future for its dams include regulatory compliance, safety, community impacts, operating costs and environmental impacts. These topics will be covered at the public meetings by PSC and Consumers Energy dam experts.  Community feedback will be solicited, as well, during a facilitated discussion.

The 30- to 40-year federal licenses to operate the dams Consumers Energy owns and operates on the Muskegon, Manistee, Grand, Kalamazoo and Au Sable rivers are set to expire beginning in 2034 through 2041.

Schedule of public meetings: (All meetings begin with an open house at 5:30 p.m. and the public meeting will begin at 6:00.)

Hardy Dam
Wednesday, August 24
Newaygo High School Cafeteria
360 S. Mill Street, Newaygo, MI

Calkins Bridge Dam
Wednesday, August 31
Allegan High School
1560 M-40, Allegan, MI 49010

Croton Dam
Thursday, September 8
Newaygo High School Cafeteria
360 S. Mill Street, Newaygo, MI

Webber Dam
Thursday, September 15
Lyons Township Hall
105 Prairie Street, Lyons, MI 48851

Rogers Dam
Tuesday, September 20
Mecosta Township Hall
19729 11 Mile Road, Big Rapids, MI 49307

Mio Dam
Monday, September 26
Mio AuSable High School Auditorium
1110 W. 8th Street, Mio, MI 48647

Foote Dam
Tuesday, September 27
Oscoda High School Auditorium
3550 E. River Road, Oscoda, MI 48750

Cooke Dam
Wednesday, September 28
Oscoda High School Auditorium
3550 E. River Road, Oscoda, MI 48750

Tippy Dam
Tuesday, October 4
Kaleva Norman Dickson School System
4400 N. High Bridge Rd, Brethren, MI 49619

Hodenpyl Dam
Wednesday, October 5
Springville Township Community Center
105 E. Mesick Ave, Mesick, MI 49668

Alcona Dam
Monday, October 10
Eagle Ridge Golf Course
3501 State Rd, Glennie, MI 48737

Loud Dam
Tuesday, October 11
Eagle Pointe Plaza, Plainfield Township Hall
415 E. Main Street, Hale, MI 48739

Five Channels Dam
Wednesday, October 12
Eagle Pointe Plaza, Plainfield Township Hall
415 E. Main Street, Hale, MI 48739

Consumers Energy is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergy
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/consumersenergy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consumersenergy/

 

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SOURCE Consumers Energy

FAQ

What is Consumers Energy doing regarding its dams?

Consumers Energy is gathering public feedback on its 13 dams as part of its future planning.

When do the licenses for Consumers Energy's dams expire?

The licenses for the dams expire between 2034 and 2041.

Who is facilitating the public feedback process for Consumers Energy?

The feedback process is being facilitated by Public Sector Consultants.

How can the public provide input on Consumers Energy's dams?

The public can attend community meetings or complete surveys sent to adjacent property owners.

What factors will Consumers Energy consider in its dam planning?

Consumers Energy will consider safety, regulatory compliance, community impacts, and operating costs.