Consumers Energy offers automatic outage alerts

Lightning over a wind turbine, April 2014.

JACKSON, Mich. – With stormy weather predicted later this week, Consumers Energy is introducing automatic outage alerts for its 1.8 million residential and business electric customers to provide them with accurate, up-to-date information during a power outage.

The outage alerts let customers know their power is out and the estimated restoration time. Customers can reply to the alert to provide an update on their situation or request updated information.

“Providing our customers with timely information during power outages can help them stay safe, make decisions and remain informed,” said Garrick Rochow, Consumers Energy vice president and chief customer officer. “Keeping our customers and our communities safe is part of our Promise to Michigan.”

Outage alerts are tailored to the type of Consumers Energy electric customer:

Residential – Customers can choose to receive their outage updates by email, phone call or text message by visiting Consumers Energy’s new website at https://new.consumersenergy.com to set their preferences.

Business – Customers can sign up for text alerts simply by texting REG to 232273 (CECARE) and providing their account number when prompted.  

The outage alerts are one of several “two-way customer communication” initiatives the company has introduced as enhanced features on the new website. All are designed to give customers more control.

Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.