The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has approved a proposal by Consumers Energy Co. to accelerate the expansion of its wind project in Tuscola County.
Last year, the commission approved 19 wind turbines for the Cross Winds Energy Park II (CWEP II), as well as an option for the utility to buy 33 more for a future development called Cross Winds Energy Park III (CWEP III).
Consumers originally had set 2022 as the date to begin construction of CWEP III, but with the MPSC approval, the date been pushed forward to 2019. Consumers says changes to the project timetable won’t affect customers’ rates.
“The advancement of these wind energy projects will help to meet the expanded renewable energy portfolio standard set in the state’s new energy laws,” says MPSC’s chairman, Sally Talberg. “This also means customers will benefit from the declining costs of wind energy.”
