Consumers Energy Upgrades Michigan's Natural Gas System with 135 Miles of Major Projects

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy (NYSE:CMS) has launched a major infrastructure upgrade initiative, implementing 135 miles of natural gas system construction projects across 15 Michigan communities. The project aims to replace century-old cast iron and steel pipelines, involving over 600 employees and contractors.

The construction spans multiple regions including Southeast Michigan, Flint, Saginaw/Bay City, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Midland. This initiative is part of the company's Natural Gas Delivery Plan, which serves over 1.8 million customers and costs typical households less than $3 per day. The upgrades complement the ongoing Four Cities Metro Pipeline project in Southeast Michigan.

Positive

• Comprehensive infrastructure modernization covering 135 miles across 15 communities
• Strategic investment to enhance long-term system reliability and safety
• Large-scale employment generation with over 600 workers involved
• Affordable cost structure at less than $3 per day for typical households

Negative

• Potential temporary disruptions due to construction and lane closures
• Extended project timeline continuing through the decade

Insights

Utilities Infrastructure Analyst

Consumers Energy's 135-mile natural gas infrastructure upgrade strengthens reliability while maintaining affordability at under $3 daily per household.

Consumers Energy is executing a substantial infrastructure modernization initiative across Michigan, replacing 135 miles of aging natural gas pipelines in 15 communities. This project specifically targets cast iron and steel pipelines, some over a century old, with modern materials that will enhance system reliability and safety for the company's 1.8 million natural gas customers.

The geographic distribution of these upgrades is strategically balanced across Consumers Energy's service territory, with significant work in Southeast Michigan (51 miles), Flint (18 miles), Saginaw/Bay City (25 miles), Kalamazoo (12 miles), Lansing (14 miles), and Midland (14 miles). This widespread investment demonstrates a systematic approach to infrastructure renewal rather than merely addressing isolated problem areas.

This construction represents just one component of the company's broader Natural Gas Delivery Plan. The additional mention of the Four Cities Metro Pipeline project indicates a multi-year capital investment strategy for maintaining critical infrastructure. What's particularly notable is the company's ability to implement these substantial upgrades while keeping costs relatively contained for consumers - maintaining service at less than $3 per day for typical households.

The deployment of over 600 employees and contractors for this work creates significant temporary employment and economic activity across multiple Michigan communities. For a regulated utility like Consumers Energy, these infrastructure investments typically enter the rate base, potentially providing steady returns while simultaneously reducing maintenance costs and improving system reliability metrics that factor into regulatory assessments.

JACKSON, Mich., July 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy is updating its statewide natural gas system with 135 miles of major construction projects in 15 Michigan communities this summer, helping serve over 1.8 million customers safely and reliably in all seasons.

The ongoing construction work will replace existing cast iron and steel pipelines, some of which are more than a century old, and serve Michigan for generations to come. Over 600 Consumers Energy employees and contractors are involved in the projects.

"These projects are a visible demonstration of Consumers Energy's commitment to delivering natural gas safely, affordably and reliably to our friends and neighbors who count on us," said Holly Bowers, Consumers Energy's vice president of natural gas engineering and supply. "We focus on work that will have the most impact, ensuring that our natural gas system will be reliable for many more years."

Consumers Energy is carrying out work in the following regions:

• Southeast Michigan – 18 miles in Livonia, 18 miles in Warren, 7 miles in Bloomfield, 6 miles in Pontiac and 2 miles in Royal Oak
• Flint – 10 miles in Flint, 6 miles in Owosso and 2 miles in Fowlerville
• Saginaw/Bay City – Two projects in Bay City (8 and 9 miles), 5 miles in Saginaw and 3 miles in Frankenmuth
• Kalamazoo – 12 miles
• Lansing – 14 miles in Holt
• Midland – 10 miles in St. Louis, 1 mile in Ithica, 3 miles in Auburn

The projects are taking place in addition to Consumers Energy's Four Cities Metro Pipeline in Southeast Michigan, a replacement of a major regional pipeline that will continue through this decade. The company also is carrying out local pipeline upgrades around the state this year.

Bowers encouraged drivers to watch for crews who will be working along roads, which will remain open with occasional lane closures.

Consumers Energy is performing this work as part of its Natural Gas Delivery Plan, ensuring its system remains safe in all weather while costing the typical household less than $3 a day.

Modernizing Michigan's natural gas system will help provide affordable natural gas to the state's homes and businesses and spark the economy with job-creating construction projects over the next decade. 

"We appreciate the patience of our customers as we carry out these upgrades in the coming months and continue to deliver natural gas reliably and affordably, regardless of what Mother Nature throws at us," Bowers said.

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. We take seriously our responsibility to provide natural gas to millions of customers who need it from us, and that is why we're making our system stronger, safer and more affordable than ever before.

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

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 the scope of Consumers Energy's 2025 natural gas system upgrade in Michigan?

The upgrade covers 135 miles of construction projects across 15 Michigan communities, replacing century-old cast iron and steel pipelines to serve 1.8 million customers.

How many workers are involved in Consumers Energy's 2025 infrastructure project?

Over 600 Consumers Energy employees and contractors are involved in the natural gas system upgrade projects.

What is the cost impact of CMS's Natural Gas Delivery Plan on households?

The Natural Gas Delivery Plan costs less than $3 per day for typical households.

Which Michigan regions are included in Consumers Energy's 2025 gas system upgrade?

The upgrades cover Southeast Michigan, Flint, Saginaw/Bay City, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Midland regions.

How will Consumers Energy's infrastructure upgrade affect traffic?

Roads will remain open with occasional lane closures where crews are working on the pipeline upgrades.