Consumers Energy provided millions of dollars in revenue for communities throughout the state in 2024, paying $13.6 million in property taxes to municipalities hosting renewable energy projects. The funding which goes towards schools, libraries, roads, and other public services represents a significant benefit to siting wind, solar and battery storage projects.
"The taxes paid to municipalities that have sited renewable energy projects go directly back into our local communities," said Brandon Hofmeister, senior vice president of strategy, sustainability and external affairs for Consumers Energy. "Many of our projects are sited in smaller municipalities, which can struggle to generate the revenue necessary to fund the resources and services their residents need. When we're building these projects, they represent not only an investment in our clean energy infrastructure, but Michigan's people."
The $13.6 million was paid to taxing authorities in communities where Consumers Energy currently harnesses energy from projects, including:
- Heartland Farms Wind Project
- Gratiot Farms Wind Project
- Crescent Wind Farm
- Lake Winds Energy Park
- Cross Winds Energy Park
- Cadillac Solar and Battery Energy Park
- Circuit West Solar and Battery
- Grand Valley State University Solar Gardens
- Western Michigan University Solar Gardens
In addition to current projects, Consumers Energy has unveiled more than half a dozen new wind, solar and battery storage facilities that will be operational in the next two to three years, with more projects slated for announcement later this year.
"Each additional project we announce not only represents more clean energy additions to the grid, but more tax revenue for Michigan communities," said David Hicks, vice president of clean energy development for Consumers Energy. "We're reducing costs for our customers, we're reducing emissions for our environment, and we're increasing income for cities and townships across the state, so everyone truly wins."
Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy's Clean Energy Plan calls for eliminating coal as an energy source in 2025, achieving net-zero carbon emissions and meeting 90 percent of customers' energy needs through clean sources, including wind and solar.
Media Contacts: Tracy Wimmer, 517-539-4465
