Watch CBS News

Consumers Energy Provides Free Efficiency Gear To 180 Civic Groups In 2013

JACKSON (WWJ) -- Veterans organizations, homeless shelters, food banks and other nonprofit groups throughout Michigan are benefitting from an initiative by Consumers Energy to replace lighting, thermostats and more with money-saving, energy-efficient products.

Consumers Energy affiliates have performed free energy-efficiency assessments for more than 180 organizations from Mackinac City to Adrian over the last two months.

This year, 159 nonprofit organizations have received more than $320,000 through free installations or financial assistance that will lower their energy expenses. These organizations will save more than $275,000 annually on their energy bills through this holiday season and beyond.

The initiative aims to provide energy efficiency upgrades at a time of year when nonprofit organizations are focused on providing help to Michigan residents. They have been receiving free LED lights, programmable thermostats and more. Work has been performed for multiple organizations in Flint, Muskegon, Lansing and other communities.

This initiative extends Consumers Energy's connections to local charities and civic organizations throughout Michigan. Many employees serve as volunteers and are board members of nonprofits throughout the state, while the company, its foundation and employees will donate nearly $6 million to nonprofits this year.

Consumers Energy also offers a variety of energy efficiency programs for homes and businesses. Those include more than 250 incentives and rebates. Michigan residents the company serves are expected to save more than $200 million this year through energy efficiency improvements. Learn more about Consumers Energy's energy efficiency programs at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/save.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

More at www.consumersenergy.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.