Consumers Energy marked Earth Day on Monday by donating $500,000 to conservation projects around Michigan. Spokesperson Brian Wheeler tells WSJM News the money is going to three organizations. The biggest donation is $250,000 for the Michigan Nature Association.
“They have a program that’s going to focus on protecting habitat across the state,” Wheeler said. “They’re working to protect, restore, and enhance 575 acres of habitat for rare and endangered species here in Michigan.”
Wheeler says up next is $150,000 for the Conservation Resource Alliance, which aims to plant 100,000 trees over five years. Finally, a $100,000 donation has been made by to the Michigan United Conservation Clubs.
“Their On the Water program is going to focus on protecting rivers, streams, riverbeds across the state.”
Wheeler says those donations come as part of a new program called the Planet Awards. Later this year will come the People Awards and the Prosperity Awards. One is focused on helping residents, and the other is to push economic development. Wheeler notes Consumers currently gets 10% of its power from renewable sources, and aims to have that up to 40% by 2040.
