US utility Consumers Energy has extended the deadline for a regulatory decision on the proposed sale of 13 hydroelectric dams in Michigan, allowing further time for settlement discussions.
The Michigan Public Service Commission, the state’s utility regulator, now has until 17 December to decide on the transaction, compared with the previous deadline of 9 November.
Consumers Energy submitted an agreement in 2025 to sell the dams, located on five rivers, to Confluence Hydro and purchase the electricity they generate. The company said the arrangement would provide an incentive to retain all 13 dams for at least 30 years and save its customers approximately US$500 million compared with decommissioning.
The extension is intended to allow Consumers Energy and other interested parties to continue negotiations over the proposal.
“We continue to work with others to find solutions to ensure these dams will continue to operate safely and responsibly for years to come,” said Chris Fultz, Consumers Energy’s senior vice president of electric supply.
Fultz acknowledged that some parties had publicly opposed continuing settlement efforts, but said the utility remained committed to reaching an agreement.
“Consumers Energy respectfully disagrees and remains committed to working in good faith to achieve a constructive settlement for the benefit of customers, communities and the State of Michigan.”
