Consumers Energy Opens Doors To Renewable Energy For Every Michigander With ‘Go Green!’ Initiative

Consumers Energy is making significant strides toward a cleaner, more sustainable future with the introduction of two groundbreaking renewable energy programs. These initiatives aim to make renewable energy accessible to everyone while providing financial relief to low-income customers. The first program, “Green Giving,” is designed to help low-income households benefit from renewable energy projects while reducing their energy bills.

Consumers Energy builds large-scale wind or solar projects, funded in part by community-sponsored dollars from those who want to support renewable energy initiatives. In partnership with community-based organizations, eligible low-income customers are enrolled in the program, allowing them to subscribe to these renewable resources.

The clean electricity generated by these projects is sold back into the grid, and the value received from these sales is passed along to enrolled customers in the form of a direct monthly credit of $10 to $20 on their energy bills. To qualify for “Green Giving,” customers must have an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and already be eligible for other Consumers Energy assistance programs.

In addition to “Green Giving,” Consumers Energy has launched the Residential Renewable Energy Program, which offers homeowners of any income level the opportunity to support renewable energy. Using a user-friendly online tool, participants can select their desired level of commitment by choosing how much renewable energy they want to support each month. Consumers Energy then calculates credits for these participants based on the renewable energy generated and sold back to the grid. This initiative builds on the success of the Solar Gardens program, which has seen peak participation since its inception in 2016.

Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy’s vice president of customer experience, “Green Giving is a game-changer! We’re thrilled to empower our most vulnerable customers with access to clean energy and cost savings. Together, we’re making Michigan’s renewable energy future brighter for everyone.”

Both programs are integral components of Consumers Energy’s Clean Energy Plan, unveiled in 2021. The plan outlines the company’s goal to have over 60% of its electricity sourced from renewable energy by 2040. Furthermore, Consumers Energy aims to eliminate coal as an energy source by 2025, achieve net-zero carbon emissions, and meet 90% of its customers’ energy needs through clean energy solutions such as wind and solar.

As Michigan’s largest energy provider, Consumers Energy serves 6.8 million residents across 68 counties in the Lower Peninsula. Through innovative programs like “Green Giving” and the Residential Renewable Energy Program, the company is creating new pathways for customers to participate in the shift towards renewable energy while making it more affordable and accessible to all. These initiatives mark significant progress in the company’s mission to protect the environment and support future generations with cleaner energy options.