The Michigan-based power utility Consumers Energy plans to completely stop burning coal and generate 40% of its energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar power by 2040 in an effort to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The company shut down seven of its 12 coal-fired power plants and reduced its emissions count by 38% compared to 2008 level. So far, the utility produces 24% of its power from coal and 10% from renewable sources.
Consumers Energy is the largest utility in Michigan and provides natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. In total, the company provides power for around 60% of Michigan's residents. In May 2017, the other Michigan large utility, DTE Energy, also pledged to reduce its CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050 and phase out its coal-power facilities by 2040.