Consumers Energy plans to file the Reliability Roadmap, the company’s plan for a smarter and stronger electric grid, with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC).
The proposal includes more buried power lines, infrastructure upgrades and grid automation efforts to reduce the number and length of customer power outages, while supporting union jobs across the company’s service territory.
The plan also includes a new wildfire risk mitigation plan, which will protect customers from increased wildfire risk, if the National Weather Service issues a red flag warning. It includes prioritized tree trimming, equipment upgrades in wildfire risk areas and more effective monitoring.
The proposed plan also includes tactics to expand Consumers Energy's goal to create a modern, stronger and more resilient power grid:
· Burying 35 miles of additional power lines to provide better protection from common outage causes, including lightning, high winds, tornadoes, heavy snow, ice and falling tree limbs.
· Infrastructure upgrades and proactive maintenance planning to find, fix and prevent issues to help the grid's reliability and lower costs.
