Consumers Energy Accelerates Underground Power Line Work to Improve Reliability
PR Newswire•09/11/2026•13:59 ET
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Key Highlights
- ➤Consumers Energy plans 67 underground line miles in 2027
- ➤Underground lines achieved 98-99% success on converted circuits
- ➤Company targets 400 underground miles annually by 2028, pending approval
- ➤Projected undergrounding investments total $160 million in 2028 and 2029
- ➤2024 pilot undergrounded lines for approximately $400,000 per mile
Expert Statements
Greg Salisbury, Senior vice president of electric distribution at Consumers Energy
“Putting power lines underground takes them out of the path of trees, wind and ice – the leading causes of outages for our customers,”
Greg Salisbury, Senior vice president of electric distribution at Consumers Energy
“That means no downed wires, fewer and shorter outages, and lower storm and tree-trimming costs over time – at about the same cost as rebuilding a line overhead.”
Greg Salisbury, Senior vice president of electric distribution at Consumers Energy
“Our pilot work proved we can do this efficiently, and the results speak for themselves,”
Greg Salisbury, Senior vice president of electric distribution at Consumers Energy
“As we scale up to 400 miles a year, we’re focusing on the lines that cause our customers the most outages – so more families and businesses keep their lights on when severe weather hits.”
Consumers Energy Accelerates Underground Power Line Work to Improve Reliability PR Newswire
Expanded undergrounding improves safety, prevents outages and controls costs
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