Consumers Energy is increasing tree-trimming efforts across Michigan this year in an ongoing effort to make delivering electricity safer and more reliable.

“Our work to keep electric lines clear is a vital part of our promise to deliver the energy you need, whenever you need it," said Mary Palkovich, Consumers Energy’s vice president of energy delivery.

"Fallen limbs or trees can cut power to hundreds or thousands of people at a time, and that’s why you see crews at work throughout the year in all conditions."

Courtesy Consumers Energy
Courtesy Consumers Energy
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About 700 workers are currently trimming or removing trees that come in or are close to coming in to contact with electrical lines, working along 6,375 miles of lines.

Consumers Energy officials planned the work based on which of its 2,000 electric circuits are most affected by tree-related outages.

“Our focus is reliability,” Palkovich said. "We constantly strive to reduce the number of outages for the 1.8 million homes and businesses to which we provide electricity.

“If we can keep trees from coming into contact with wires, we give our customers the best chance to keep their lights on during the worst of Michigan’s weather.”

Consumers Energy notifies residents, homeowners and business customers of tree-trimming plans in advance in person and by mail.

In addition, the Jackson-based utility providing more than $50,000 in grants last year for planting more than 390 trees in 40 communities and it plans to double that this year.

If a tree branch breaks off and lands on an electric line, causing a dangerous situation, call Consumers Energy immediately at (800) 477-5050. Also, do not touch the branch or wire.

Also, three working days before planting or doing other digging projects, call 811 or (800) 482-7171 before you dig.

Consumers Energy is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy and provides electricity and natural gas to 6.5 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

Help Out by Working at Consumers Energy

You might be able to help out with Consumers Energy's tree-trimming efforts or elsewhere with Michigan's largest utility.

Consumers Energy is currently seek to fill 24 full-time permanent positions. In addition, it offers a six-week paid training program for those positions.

Check out Consumers Energy's career opportunities online or the company's openings pitch here.

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