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Consumers Energy history
Consumers Energy company history timeline
The company was founded in 1886 as Commonwealth Power Company by William A. Foote, who was originally tasked to install electric lighting in downtown Jackson.
In 1898, William Foote, with the help of his engineer brother, James, undertook construction of the first large-scale dam in Michigan along the Kalamazoo River.
In 1906 Vanderbilt offered Hodenpyl and Walbridge an astounding $1 million for their New York area traction lines.
In 1908, Hodenpyl-Walbridge & Company's attention was drawn to the Au Sable, and so they invited Loud to New York to discuss a possible purchase.
In 1908, Hodenpyl-Walbridge & Company's attention was drawn to the Au Sable, and so they invited Loud to New York to discuss a possible purchase. It soon became apparent that the benefits of this limited deal could be extended to the entire operations of the two utility firms, and by 1909 the merger had been completed.
1910: Foote and other energy industry pioneers establish Consumers Power Co.
D. Walbridge, the company incorporated as Consumers Power Company in 1910 in Maine.
They sell shares of stock to customers at $95 a share and provide a dividend of $7 a share in 1920.
By the end of 1920, 6,378 shares had been sold and the tradition of broad public ownership of utility stocks had been established.
The electric interurbans, which had seemed the great new trend in transportation through the first two decades of the century, suddenly seemed awkward and expensive when compared to the gasoline-powered automobile. Thus the electric railway business that had provided the bulk of Commonwealth Power's profits during the height of W. A. Foote's presidency had dropped to a distant third behind electricity and gas by the early 1920s.
1927: Consumers Power dedicates its new headquarters building in downtown Jackson, Mich. after Foote’s death.
Willkie's campaign to halt public ownership of utilities had been very public and very vocal, prompting high-level Republicans to recruit the longtime Democrat to run against Roosevelt in the 1940 presidential race.
Under the directorship of James H. Campbell, Consumers Power teamed up with Detroit Edison, the second largest utility in Michigan, to build an experimental "breeder" reactor; then in 1958 it built a small boiling-water reactor at Big Rock Point, Michigan.
After serving Michigan for more than 80 years, the company reincorporated in Michigan in 1968 and maintained its headquarters in Jackson, Michigan.
In 1968, Consumers Power began construction of a nuclear power plant in Midland, Michigan, primarily for the Dow Chemical Company.
The Midland facility was originally scheduled to open in 1975 at a cost of about $500 million.
The Three Mile Island accident in 1979 resulted in a massive change in nuclear regulatory requirements and system redesign.
Dow Chemical had previously agreed to buy steam and energy from Midland and in 1984 had filed suit against Consumers, alleging mismanagement and cover-ups by Consumers management.
When it was revealed the containment buildings were settling and foundation cracks were discovered, Dow cancelled its contract with Consumers Power, and the project was abandoned in 1984.
However, in 1985, Consumers Power formed a partnership with eight other companies to convert Midland's abandoned nuclear plant into a natural gas-fired power plant.
Transformation of the plant began in 1986 and was completed at a cost of $500 million.
CMS Energy was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Jackson, MI.“
The Midland Cogeneration Venture began producing power in 1991 and that success restored faith in Consumers Power.
By 1994 CMS Energy had reached an agreement in principle with most concerned parties that allowed Consumers Power to buy a substantial portion of MCV's energy output at the avoided cost of production.
2008: The Whiting plant earns a Neighborhood Environmental Partners Program Gold Award from Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality for the fourth consecutive year.
2009: Consumers Energy lays the groundwork for harnessing Michigan’s wind to generate clean, renewable electricity.
In 2009, Consumers Energy launched comprehensive electric and natural gas energy efficiency programs that included rebates and incentives for homes and businesses.
In 2011, Consumers Energy received approval to establish a 100-megawatt wind energy facility in Michigan's Mason County called Lake Winds Energy Park.
It secures easements in Mason and Tuscola counties to build the Lake Winds Energy Park® and the Cross Winds Energy Park™. Lake Winds, a 100-megawatt project, began operating in late 2012.
2013: Consumers Energy announced the purchase of an existing combined cycle 540-megawatt natural gas plant in Jackson, MI. The purchase of an existing plant was chosen over building a new plant to save customers about $500 million.”
In 2014, the company announced their second wind farm in Tuscola County with a total investment of $250 million, and named it Cross Winds Energy Park.
In 2016, the company, its foundations, and employees were predicted to give more than $10 million in contributions and volunteer hours to nonprofits.
by Patrick Clouden | Feb 6, 2017 | Company History, Electricity, Energy News
by Patrick Clouden | May 22, 2018 | Company History, Energy News
In 2018, Consumers Energy became the title sponsor of the August Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway.
In December 2020, Garrick J. Rochow assumed the role of President & CEO of CMS and Consumers Energy after a 17-year tenure at the company.
by Patrick Clouden | Jan 15, 2020 | Company History
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Consumers Energy competitors
| Company name | Founded date | Revenue | Employee size | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy | 1904 | $30.4B | 27,535 | 105 |
| Xcel Energy | 1909 | $13.4B | 11,075 | 200 |
| CMS Energy | 1987 | $7.5B | 8,148 | - |
| Exelon | 2000 | $23.0B | 33,383 | 196 |
| NiSource | 1912 | $5.5B | 8,363 | 108 |
| AVANGRID | 1852 | $8.3B | 7,000 | 2 |
| Madison Gas and Electric | 1855 | $676.9M | 731 | 8 |
| Pacific Gas and Electric | 1905 | $24.4B | 24,000 | - |
| Nicor Gas | 1954 | $1.5B | 2,050 | 1 |
| CenterPoint Energy | 1882 | $8.6B | 7,977 | 1 |
Consumers Energy history FAQs
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Consumers Energy may also be known as or be related to CONSUMERS ENERGY CO, Consumers Energy and Consumers Energy Company.