[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1222-E1223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    STATEMENT HONORING CONSUMERS ENERGY AND THEIR EFFORTS TO REDUCE 
                   EMISSIONS FROM THEIR POWER PLANTS

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. JOHN J.H. ``JOE'' SCHWARZ

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2005

  Mr. SCHWARZ of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
efforts of a utility company in my district that is working diligently 
to reduce emissions from its power plants. By investing in the future, 
Consumers Energy is demonstrating the understanding and foresight that 
sets it apart from its peers.
  Founded in Jackson, Michigan in 1886, Consumers Energy has superbly 
served mid-Michigan by providing reliable and affordable electricity, 
supporting communities, operating in the best interests of the public, 
and respecting the environment.
  Consumers Energy is in the midst of an $815 million commitment to 
reduce emissions as part of current Federal and State requirements. As 
of March 2005, Consumers Energy

[[Page E1223]]

has already spent $543 million to comply with U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) rulings, including the requirement that power 
companies significantly reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from coal-fired 
power plants. The Utility is currently making separate plans for future 
investments in compliance with the EPA's new Clean Air Interstate Rule 
and the Clean Air Mercury Rule, the first-ever rule for reducing 
mercury missions. Today, the air in Michigan is clean, and the policies 
pursued by Consumers Energy will continue the forty year trend of 
improved air quality.
  Consumers Energy operates in the belief that economic growth, energy 
demands, and environmental quality are inextricably linked. In the past 
25 years, as our Nation's economy has expanded, demand for electricity 
and other forms of energy have substantially increased. At the same 
time, Consumer Energy consistently lowered emissions from its coal-
fired power plants: the rate of nitrogen oxide emissions has been 
reduced 70 percent and the rate of sulfur dioxide emissions has been 
reduced 80 percent. Consumers Energy is actively planning to reduce 
these emissions even further as it implements the new Clean Air 
Interstate Rule. In addition, the company is preparing to implement the 
first-ever mandate to reduce mercury emissions under the Clean Air 
Mercury Rule. Consumers Energy is also participating with peer 
companies in the Administration's voluntary greenhouse gas reduction 
program to reduce carbon intensity, even though this greenhouse gas is 
not federally regulated.
  On behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to offer my 
highest praise to Consumers Energy for its extraordinary efforts to 
address air quality in the United States. This company's initiative and 
forethought will not only benefit the people of the Seventh District 
and the State of Michigan, but the United States as a whole.

                          ____________________