GM and Consumers Energy Partner to Power Three Auto Plants with Clean Energy

Consumers Energy in Jackson, Michigan’s largest energy provider, and Detroit’s General Motors Co. today announced a new pledge to power automotive plants in Flint, Burton, and Wyoming (in west Michigan) with clean energy.
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General Motors and Consumers Energy will partner to power three Michigan auto facilities in Flint (interior pictured), Burton, and Wyoming with 100 percent clean energy. // Courtesy of GM
General Motors and Consumers Energy will partner to power three Michigan auto facilities in Flint (interior pictured), Burton, and Wyoming with 100 percent clean energy. // Courtesy of GM

Consumers Energy in Jackson, Michigan’s largest energy provider, and Detroit’s General Motors Co. today announced a new pledge to power automotive plants in Flint, Burton, and Wyoming (in west Michigan) with clean energy.

“We’re thrilled to see General Motors pledge to use 100 percent clean energy that Consumers Energy will provide, highlighting our shared commitment to our state’s prosperity and protecting the planet,” says Garrick Rochow, president and CEO of Consumers Energy. “GM’s commitment builds on, and actually accelerates, Consumers Energy’s plan to power Michigan with clean energy.”

The 20-year agreement between the companies ensures GM will use clean energy at its Flint Assembly Plant, Burton Parts Processing Center, and Wyoming GM Components Holdings Plant. This commitment supports approximately 70 megawatts of emission-free renewable energy in Michigan.

Through new and existing GM plants in Consumers Energy’s Renewable Energy Program, GM is offsetting 235,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. That is equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions produced by 51,000 cars, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calculations. Consumers Energy and GM started partnering on clean energy projects in 2018.

“General Motors is committed to combatting climate change and transforming the communities where we work and live by striving toward zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion,” says Rob Threlkeld, senior manager of energy strategy and grid decarbonization at GM.

“Procuring renewable energy is key to accomplishing these goals. Our collaboration with Consumers Energy brings us closer to our target of sourcing 100 percent renewable energy in the U.S. by 2025 and will advance our local Michigan communities’ transition to a clean grid.”

Consumers Energy’s Renewable Energy Program provides businesses a solution to use solar and wind energy to achieve their sustainability goals and protect the planet for future generations. Its Clean Energy Plan aims close all of its coal-fired plants by 2025 and become carbon neutral by 2040. At this point, the energy provider will meet 90 percent of its energy needs with clean energy sources such as wind and solar.

“GM promised just last week that Michigan will be the nation’s hub for electric vehicle manufacturing. Now, we know the next generation of Michigan-made vehicles also will be made with clean energy,” says Rochow.