The Issue

 

 

 

Consumers Energy, Michigan’s second-largest electricity provider, owns 13 aging hydroelectric dams across the state on the Au Sable, Manistee, Muskegon, Grand, and Kalamazoo Rivers. These dams are:

 

Over 100 years old, far past their engineered lifespan
Extremely expensive to maintain
High hazard risk — failure could result in human deaths and billions in property damage

 

 

Despite these dangers, Consumers Energy plans to sell the dams to private investors — potentially out-of-state or international firms with no history or responsibility in Michigan.

 

This is not just a financial issue; it’s a public safety and environmental emergency. In 2020, the privately owned Edenville and Sanford dams failed, causing $200 million in flood damage and the evacuation of 10,000 residents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Solution

 

 

 

We demand that Consumers Energy:

 

Take responsibility for its dams
Safely remove aging dams
Restore Michigan’s rivers to free-flowing natural state
Protect local communities, recreation, and ecosystems

 

 

Removing these dams would save money for Michigan electricity customers, create world-class recreational opportunities, and eliminate the risk of catastrophic dam failure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who Can Stop This Sale? Contact Them!

 

 

 

Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC)

 

Phone: 800‑292‑9555 or 517‑284‑8100
Email: LARA‑MPSC‑commissioners@michigan.gov
Mail: PO Box 30221, Lansing, MI 48909
In-person: 7109 W. Saginaw Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917

 

 

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

 

Email (public participation): OPP@ferc.gov
Phone: 202‑502‑6595

 

 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer

 

Contact form: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/contact
Phone: 517‑335‑7858
Mail: P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, MI 48909

 

 

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II

 

Contact via Governor’s Office form: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/contact

 

 

Consumers Energy — Corporate Contacts

 

General: info@cmsenergy.com
Media & External Relations: Katelyn.Carey@cmsenergy.com
Phone: (517) 788‑0550
Corporate address: One Energy Plaza, Jackson, MI 49201‑2276

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take Action Now!

 

 

 

Sign this petition to demand that Michigan’s rivers and communities are protected!

 

Share this petition with your friends, family, and community groups.

 

Use the contacts above to send a direct message urging:

 

No sale of Consumers Energy dams to private investors
Safe removal and responsible management of all 13 dams
Protection of Michigan rivers, recreation, and public safety

 

 

 

 

 

#StopTheDamSellout #ProtectMichiganRivers #KeepMichiganSafe #OurRiversOurResponsibility