Consumers Energy works to keep natural gas prices low, offers bill help during extreme cold temperatures

MICHIGAN, USA — Consumers Energy representatives said the company is working to keep natural gas prices down during the extremely cold temperatures on the way.

According to the utility company, its natural gas rates are 28% lower than the national average.

In order to make that happen, the company purchases natural gas during the summer, when the rates are lower. Then, it’s stored in 15 storage fields across the state of Michigan.

“In the wintertime, when the demand is high, we can pass those savings directly to our customers and pull that natural gas out of our storage fields to meet the demand that we’re having now with these extremely cold temperatures across the state,” said Angela Thompkins, vice president of community engagement at Consumers Energy.

Thompkins said the company does not profit from the savings in the cost of gas, but passes it directly to its customers.

“Roughly 40% of our customers are considered low to moderate income, which means that they’re living paycheck to paycheck,” said Thompkins. “We know the cost of everything: groceries, health care, transportation, everything is going up. We don’t want that energy burden to be something that our customers are struggling with as they’re sitting across their kitchen tables making tough decisions.”

If you’re a customer of Consumers Energy and are having trouble paying your bill, contact Consumers at consumersenergy.com/assistance. Thompkins said there are multiple payment options.

You can also call 2-1-1 to be connected with community resources to help pay bills.

Last week, Consumers Energy announced a donation of $5 million to Michigan community partners that help with bill payment.