JACKSON, Mich., July 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With more than 1 million electric meters and nearly 200,000 gas communication modules installed to enhance customer service, Consumers Energy customers have more online access than ever to help manage their bills.

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"The electric meter sends us a message that displays energy use for each home and business for the day. Now, natural gas use will be included, adding even more access for customers to view their energy use online," said Garrick Rochow, Consumers Energy's senior vice president of distribution and customer operations. "Upgraded meters provide other benefits, including supporting our efforts to reduce estimated meter readings."

All of Consumers Energy's 1.8 million electric customers - including about one third who also receive natural gas - will receive upgraded meters by the end of next year.

Late this fall, the meters will also send notifications to the company when power outages occur. Still, customer notifications will remain important and Consumers Energy encourages customers to report power outages online at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/outagecenter or by calling 800-477-5050.

More than half of Consumers Energy's customers now have communicating digital meters, which have yellow face labels. The Battle Creek, Coldwater, Ludington, Saginaw, south Midland and Tawas regions are scheduled for meter upgrades through 2016, while the Clare, Jackson, Lansing and north Midland areas will get meter upgrades in 2017.

"Consumers Energy is committed to building a smarter, more reliable energy infrastructure, and our meter technology is just one of the investments we're making in Michigan's energy future," Rochow said.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go towww.ConsumersEnergy.com.

Media toolkit

LEARN MORE: Find out more about the benefits of upgraded meters:


    --  Online: www.ConsumersEnergy.com/smartenergy
    --  Call 1-888-862-2199

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This news release contains "forward-looking statements." The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Consumers Energy's results to differ materially. All forward-looking statements should be considered in the context of the risk and other factors detailed from time to time in Consumers Energy's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

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SOURCE Consumers Energy