Consumers Energy executives are generally most financially rewarded to do what is minimally required by environmental standards with respect to fly ash, wastewater, pollutant emissions, etc., so that is precisely where they lead in many cases. They are also now financially rewarded by the Whitmer-appointed MPSC to aggressively pursue the Net Zero agenda, even though the Net Zero agenda is misguided by an unwarranted concern over current CO2 levels. Consumers Energy executives are also generally most financially rewarded to increase billing rates and to pursue projects which increase company profits.
These facts are precisely why we need a locally controlled electric cooperative board elected by the citizens of Ottawa County in order to better ensure our long-term local interests are protected. Such an elected board does not necessarily mean we will not do business using Consumers Energy, but it does mean directional decision-making is in our control and not effectively under the control of Consumers Energy executives beholden to investors and an unelected MPSC board who sets their monopoly profits. We citizens have to live with the effects of these decisions, so it is in our interest to make sure we set the direction through locally elected representatives.