Consumers Energy Expands Free Program that Helps Small Businesses Reduce Energy Use, Lower Costs

Assessments Now Available in Kent, Ingham, Jackson, Eaton Counties

WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — Consumers Energy announced today it is expanding a program that provides free energy assessments and plans to reduce energy use for small businesses in Ingham, Jackson and Eaton counties. Already, the program has helped over 5,300 businesses in Kent County to use less energy and lower their costs.

“As a Michigan company, we are committed to helping other employers in our state to use energy more efficiently. That in turn provides businesses with more money to spend putting Michigan residents to work,” said Tim Sparks, Consumers Energy’s vice president for energy supply operations.

Consumers Energy started its Small Business Assessment Program last year to provide employers with simple, easy-to-understand information to manage their energy use and lower costs.

“I was very pleased with the work that Consumers Energy did. They added LED lights that will lower my costs, and are actually brighter than the lighting that we’d had already,” said Carl Rennell, owner of Sweet Scoops ice cream parlor in Jackson. “It was impressive how even a little bit of effort can make a big difference when it comes to saving energy.”

Consumers Energy provides the following for free through its Small Business Assessment Program:

• On-site assessments by energy specialists of employers’ energy use.
• Installation of energy-saving items such as LED light bulbs.
• A no-obligation energy savings report that includes rebates for which the business qualifies.

Businesses can enroll by calling 855-210-5240.

“While we offer over 400 energy-efficiency rebates for businesses, we understand it can be difficult to know where to begin when it comes to reducing energy use,” Sparks said. “Our Small Business Assessment Program provides the launching pad for businesses to learn how they can reduce their energy costs and see how we can help them best.”

Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

Media toolkit
LEARN MORE: Employers can enroll in the Small Business Assessment Program by calling 855-210-5240.

HELP FOR HOMES: Consumers Energy offers a Home Energy Analysis program for Michigan households:www.homeanalysis-consumersenergy.com/

PROVEN SAVINGS: Consumers Energy has helped reduce customer bills by over $1 billion since 2009:
https://www.consumersenergy.com/News.aspx?id=8454&year=2016

Media Contacts: Brian Wheeler, 517-788-2394, or Roger Morgenstern, 616-530-4364

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