JACKSON, Mich., Jan. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers
Energy is mobilizing more than 50 employees and equipment to assist
New York and New England energy
providers bracing for a severe winter storm expected Monday and
Tuesday.
The Consumers Energy contingent of utility crews, technicians,
mechanics and supervisors from around Michigan are expected to leave Dundee by 9 a.m.
Monday. Another 100 contractors are being released from work
on Consumers Energy's electric system to help restore power on the
East Coast.
"We are ready and willing to assist East Coast communities as
they prepare for a storm that could cause significant damage," said
Michele Kirkland, Consumers Energy
vice president of energy operations. "We have been fortunate in the
past to be helped by out-of-state crews, and with fair weather here
in Michigan, this is an
opportunity for us to help them."
Blizzard conditions are forecast for parts of New York and New England, starting at noon
Monday, with the potential for hurricane-force winds and two feet
of snow.
Consumers Energy crews and contractors will travel initially to
New York state, although where
they work will depend on storm damage. They could work on the East
Coast for a week or more.
Consumers Energy crews last traveled to East Coast states after
Hurricane Sandy struck in late 2012. Crews were last dispatched out
of Michigan in March 2014 ahead of an expected ice storm in
Kentucky.
Consumers Energy, Michigan's
largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE:
CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.5 million of the
state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula
counties.
For more information about Consumers Energy, go to
www.ConsumersEnergy.com.
Media Toolkit
MUTUAL ASSISTANCE: Consumers Energy crews are providing
work in response to requests for mutual assistance from energy
providers. Consumers Energy typically honors mutual assistance
requests as long as crews are not needed for immediate work in
Michigan.
SERVING MICHIGAN: "While
our employees help the East Coast, the Michigan communities we serve can rest assured
we have enough crews to meet their needs," Vice President
Michele Kirkland said.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumers-energy-crews-to-travel-to-east-coast-on-monday-ready-to-help-as-blizzard-approaches-300025290.html
SOURCE Consumers Energy