Consumers Energy, General Motors Agree to Power Three Michigan Auto Plants with 100% Clean Energy

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy and General Motors have announced a partnership to power Michigan's automotive plants in Flint, Burton, and Wyoming with 100% clean energy. This 20-year agreement signifies a commitment to supporting approximately 70 megawatts of renewable energy, enabling GM to reduce carbon emissions by offsetting 235,000 metric tons annually, equivalent to emissions from 51,000 cars. GM aims to source 100% renewable energy in the U.S. by 2025, aligning with Consumers Energy's goal of being carbon neutral by 2040, with 90% of energy needs met through clean sources.

Positive

• 20-year agreement with Consumers Energy to power plants with 100% clean energy.
• Supports 70 megawatts of renewable energy in Michigan.
• Offsets 235,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually.
• Aims to source 100% renewable energy in the U.S. by 2025.

Negative

• None.

JACKSON, Mich., Feb. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy and General Motors today announced a new pledge to power Michigan automotive plants in Flint, Burton and Wyoming with clean energy, partnering to build the next generation of vehicles in Michigan, where both companies are headquartered.

"We're thrilled to see General Motors pledge to use 100% clean energy that Consumers Energy will provide, highlighting our shared commitment to our state's prosperity and protecting the planet," said Garrick Rochow, Consumers Energy's president and CEO. "GM's commitment builds on, and actually accelerates, Consumers Energy's plan to power Michigan with clean energy."

"General Motors is committed to combatting climate change and transforming the communities where we work and live by striving toward zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion," said Rob Threlkeld, senior manager of energy strategy and grid decarbonization at GM. "Procuring renewable energy is key to accomplishing these goals. Our collaboration with Consumers Energy brings us closer to our target of sourcing 100% renewable energy in the U.S. by 2025 and will advance our local Michigan communities' transition to a clean grid."

GM made a 20-year agreement with Consumers Energy to use clean energy at its Flint Assembly Plant, Parts Processing Center in Burton and GM Components Holdings Plant in Wyoming. This commitment supports roughly 70 megawatts of emission-free renewable energy in Michigan.

Through new and existing GM plants in Consumers Energy's Renewable Energy Program, which puts Consumers on a path to add more renewable power to its generation fleet, GM is offsetting 235,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. That is equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions produced by 51,000 cars, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calculations. Consumers Energy and GM started partnering on clean energy projects in 2018.

Consumers Energy is working to protect the planet, with an industry-leading Clean Energy Plan to close all of its coal-fired plants by 2025 and become carbon neutral by 2040, at which point the energy provider will meet 90% of its energy needs with clean energy sources such as wind and solar. Commitments by GM and other businesses accelerate that plan.

"GM promised just last week that Michigan will be the nation's hub for electric vehicle manufacturing. Now, we know the next generation of Michigan-made vehicles also will be made with clean energy," Rochow said.

Consumers Energy's Renewable Energy Program provides businesses a flexible, turnkey solution to use solar and wind energy to achieve their sustainability goals and protect the planet for future generations. Their enrollment not only advances greening Michigan's grid, but also supports Michigan jobs created through building and operating renewable energy projects. Join the movement by contacting us at GreenPower@cmsenergy.com.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest energy provider, 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.

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which powers everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at https://www.gm.com.

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

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media 
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This news release contains "forward-looking statements." The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Consumers Energy's results to differ materially. All forward-looking statements should be considered in the context of the risk and other factors detailed from time to time in Consumers Energy's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

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SOURCE Consumers Energy

FAQ

What is the agreement between CMS and GM about clean energy?

CMS and GM have established a 20-year agreement to power three Michigan automotive plants with 100% clean energy.

How much renewable energy will GM use at its Michigan plants?

GM's commitment will support approximately 70 megawatts of clean, renewable energy.

What are GM's carbon emission offset goals?

The collaboration is expected to offset 235,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.

What is Consumers Energy's goal for 2040?

Consumers Energy aims to become carbon neutral by 2040 and meet 90% of its energy needs with clean sources.

When does GM plan to source 100% renewable energy in the U.S.?

GM targets sourcing 100% renewable energy in the U.S. by 2025.