JACKSON, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) — Consumers Energy announced that its emergency public appeal to conserve natural gas ended at midnight tonight for all customers – commercial, industrial and residential.
“There is no doubt the gas reduction efforts by residents and businesses across the Lower Peninsula played a key role in helping maintain natural gas flow in our distribution system at a time when it was critically needed,” said Patti Poppe, Consumers Energy’s president and chief executive officer. “Because of the swift action of all, we were able to continue critical services – from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the men and women of Consumers Energy, we thank you,” she said.
Consumers Energy made its public appeal after a Wednesday morning fire that damaged equipment at its Ray Natural Gas Compressor Station in Macomb County. No one was hurt; the cause of the fire remains under investigation. The fire reduced the amount of natural gas that could be delivered to customers from underground storage located at the compressor station. The site is a combination compression and storage field, Consumers largest such facility, which stores natural gas until needed by customers.
Equipment damage there, coupled with continued historically cold temperatures, prompted the utility’s appeal to dial back their thermostats at homes and businesses.
Repairs at the Ray Compressor Station are ongoing, and one of the station’s three compressors is partially in service. The fire’s cause remains under investigation.
Consumers serves 6.7 million of Michigan’s 10 million Lower Peninsula residents.
