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JACKSON, Mich., Feb. 22, 2016 – Hundreds of Consumers Energy employees are helping Michigan families stay warm this winter by taking part in over 30 Walks for Warmth across the state...

“We walk because we care for the Michigan communities we serve. That’s our Promise. We are raising dollars that will make a real impact in Michigan communities and in people’s lives,” said Patti Poppe, Consumers Energy’s senior vice president of distribution operations, engineering and transmission.

“In our state, one in five people needs assistance paying their energy bills. That could be the person behind you in the grocery line, the car in front of you in the school drop off lane or maybe even a family member or friend.”

Consumers Energy is making a commitment to helping people heat their homes by matching every dollar that employees, family members and friends raise through 33 Walk for Warmth events statewide.

The company and over 2,000 employees, family members and friends last year raised nearly $200,000 for Michigan households through the state’s Community Action Agency network.

Community Action Agencies organize local Walk for Warmth events. The money that participants raise will provide energy assistance for Michigan residents.

Hundreds of Consumers Energy employees will take part Friday in the Walk for Warmth event in Jackson, which will start at the company’s headquarters and extend through downtown.

Many more employees will participate in walks through March 5 throughout Michigan, including Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Battle Creek.

All Walk for Warmth events are open to the public. Learn more at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/walk.

Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

Media Contacts: Brian Wheeler, 517-788-2394, or Dan Bishop, 517-788-2395

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.