Consumers Energy says it will achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from the company's natural gas production and delivery system, including customers and suppliers, by 2050.
The commitment doesn't stop carbon emissions, but it means the Jackson, Michigan-based utility and its parent, CMS Corp., will take measures to eliminate the impact of released compounds traced to burning natural gas by customers for heating, cooking and backup generators. The effort by the state's largest energy provider also will seek to alleviate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions by natural-gas suppliers who produce and transport the gas to Consumers Energy's system.
"Natural gas is safe and affordable and now it can be even more clean," CMS CEO Garrick Rochow said in a statement. "We're making historic, industry-leading changes to protect our planet. This commitment is another step in leading the clean energy transformation for Michigan."
