Utility ready to invest, if regulators play fair
by Jackson Citizen Patriot
Monday May 11, 2009, 10:30 AM

LANSING -- Seemingly every day, we get more bad news about jobs pouring out of Michigan. Consumers Energy, however, plans to invest $6 billion over the next five years in our state, creating desperately needed jobs and boosting the state's economy.

The utility that has served customers here since 1886 is committed to powering Michigan's comeback by providing reliable and affordable power.

Consumers Energy plans to invest more than $1.2 billion in wind farms and $500 million in energy efficiency to help customers reduce their bills, and construct a $2 billion-plus clean coal plant. All these investments will help create jobs.

That rare bit of good news comes with a catch: Consumers Energy needs adequate resources to carry out its plans. The company needs fair and timely treatment from regulators to make sure it can pay for these investments. Otherwise, they won't happen.

No one likes higher energy bills. But customers can rest assured the money will maintain and improve their electric service plus flow back into our economy to help keep hard-working people on the job.

-- Patrick Dillon, president
Michigan State Utility Workers Council