From our media partner at WOOD TV:
UPDATE: JACKSON, Mich. (WOOD) — Consumers Energy says a state alert asking people to reduce their natural gas use is working, so it says customers can stop conserving at the end of the day Thursday.
Consumers had initially asked people to curtail their use until Friday. On Thursday afternoon, the utility revised that to the end of the day. It attributed the earlier end to the appeal to customers decreasing use, increasing temperatures and the restoration of some services at a southeastern Michigan plant where there was a fire Wednesday.
In a statement, Consumers CEO Patti Poppe thanked everyone who conserved.
"There is no doubt the gas reduction efforts by residents and businesses across the Lower Peninsula played a key role in helping maintain natural gas flow in our distribution system at a time when it was critically needed,” she said. "Because of the swift action of all, we were able to continue critical services – from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the men and women of Consumers Energy, we thank you."
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JACKSON, Mich. (WOOD) — Consumers Energy says it’s “cautiously optimistic” customers are heeding a state alert asking them to reduce their natural gas use, but the utility company is extending its request through 10 a.m. Friday.
The alert sounded on smartphones statewide around 10:30 p.m., shortly after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer put out the request.
Thursday, Consumers Energy CEO Patti Poppe said the utility company saw a 10 percent drop in natural gas use after the alert, which went out to all residents.
“It worked. Our call to act was effective and we are so grateful to people because of that," Poppe said.
A Wednesday morning fire at Consumers’ Ray compressor station combined with increased demand for natural gas during extremely cold temperatures led to a supply issue.
“In our 130 years, we’ve never experienced this kind of demand or these kind of temperatures. And we prepare for these extremes," Poppe said.
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