Hydro Facility Celebrates 100 Years of Serving Michigan During Riverfest
WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — Consumers Energy is offering free tours of the Mio Dam for 275 visitors Aug. 27. The tours are in celebration of the dam’s first 100 years of service to Michigan, and are part of the Oscoda County Riverfest, being held Aug. 26-28.
“There is a lot of interest by the public to see inside our historic hydro facilities,” said Rich Castle, Consumers Energy’s natural resource administrator for hydro operations. “We’re proud to take the opportunity of the Mio Dam Centennial to coordinate with the annual Riverfest to commemorate this landmark anniversary of this shining example of a historic facility that is still contributing clean, renewable energy to meet the demands of Michigan residents today.”
Mio Dam went into operation in 1916 and has a 4-megawatt capacity. It was the first river powerhouse to utilize a conduit, or under sluice spillway. That technology reduced tailwater erosion, reduced construction costs and increased the dam’s efficiency. A testament to 20th Century ingenuity and the employees who have operated and maintained the facility over the years, the dam still operates the same turbines and generators that were installed a century ago.
The first 275 people who apply will reserve a spot on the Mio Dam tour. Those interested in participating will need to provide identification, wear closed-toe shoes and wear provided safety equipment. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Register for a tour time at http://miohydroplanttour.eventbrite.com.
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.
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Media Contacts: Terry DeDoes, 517-374-2159, or Debra Dodd, 517-545-8711
