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Consumers Energy Tells State Commission: Sale of 13 Hydroelectric Dams Is Best Option for Michigan
Consumers Energy officials told a state commission today that selling 13 hydroelectric dams remains the best option for Michigan, supporting local communities and offering the lowest long-term cost for customers.
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[{"type":"text","content":"LANSING, Mich., April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy officials told a state commission today that selling 13 hydroelectric dams remains the best option for Michigan, supporting local communities and offering the lowest long-term cost for customers.","length":258,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"image","alt":"Consumers Energy Logo (PRNewsFoto/Consumers Energy)","displaySize":"","headline":null,"caption":"Consumers Energy Logo (PRNewsFoto/Consumers Energy)","className":"","disableSlideshowImg":false,"size":{"original":{"width":400,"height":150,"url":"https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/c056845b7ff4d04501579bf135236f6d"},"resized":{"url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/5zF3skwWjQssBZP.FUawhQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTI2NA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/c056845b7ff4d04501579bf135236f6d","width":400,"height":150}},"href":"https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/326177/Consumers_Energy_Logo.html","hrefExternal":true,"rel":"nofollow"},{"type":"text","content":""Consumers Energy has spent over a century operating our dams safely, reliably and affordably. Selling the dams ensures we build on their past to power Michigan's future," said Rick Blumenstock, Consumers Energy's executive director of electric supply engineering. "Not only does their sale ensure they continue safe, reliable operations, but it's the lowest-cost choice for our customers and it keeps the reservoirs that are vital to local communities."","length":486,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Blumenstock joined representatives from Confluence Hydro, the dams' buyer, in speaking before the Michigan Natural Resources Commission today. Their presentation follows outreach to communities across the state since Consumers Energy and Confluence Hydro announced the sale in September.","length":291,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"State and federal regulators are reviewing the sale. Once approved, Confluence Hydro will sell energy from the dams to Consumers Energy under a 30-year contract and will start the process to relicense them.","length":206,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":""Confluence Hydro sees tremendous potential in these dams and their ability to power Michigan's future for generations to come," said Jillian Lawrence, Confluence Hydro's chief operating officer. "We ha...