June 14, 2005: Congressional Record publishes “STATEMENT HONORING CONSUMERS ENERGY AND THEIR EFFORTS TO REDUCE EMISSIONS FROM THEIR POWER PLANTS”

Volume 151, No. 78 covering the 1st Session of the 109th Congress (2005 - 2006) was published by the Congressional Record.

The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.

“STATEMENT HONORING CONSUMERS ENERGY AND THEIR EFFORTS TO REDUCE EMISSIONS FROM THEIR POWER PLANTS” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1222-E1223 on June 14, 2005.

The publication is reproduced in full below:

STATEMENT HONORING CONSUMERS ENERGY AND THEIR EFFORTS TO REDUCE

EMISSIONS FROM THEIR POWER PLANTS

______

HON. JOHN J.H. ``JOE'' SCHWARZ

of michigan

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Mr. SCHWARZ of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the efforts of a utility company in my district that is working diligently to reduce emissions from its power plants. By investing in the future, Consumers Energy is demonstrating the understanding and foresight that sets it apart from its peers.

Founded in Jackson, Michigan in 1886, Consumers Energy has superbly served mid-Michigan by providing reliable and affordable electricity, supporting communities, operating in the best interests of the public, and respecting the environment.

Consumers Energy is in the midst of an $815 million commitment to reduce emissions as part of current Federal and State requirements. As of March 2005, Consumers Energy has already spent $543 million to comply with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rulings, including the requirement that power companies significantly reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from coal-fired power plants. The Utility is currently making separate plans for future investments in compliance with the EPA's new Clean Air Interstate Rule and the Clean Air Mercury Rule, the first-ever rule for reducing mercury missions. Today, the air in Michigan is clean, and the policies pursued by Consumers Energy will continue the forty year trend of improved air quality.

Consumers Energy operates in the belief that economic growth, energy demands, and environmental quality are inextricably linked. In the past 25 years, as our Nation's economy has expanded, demand for electricity and other forms of energy have substantially increased. At the same time, Consumer Energy consistently lowered emissions from its coal-

fired power plants: the rate of nitrogen oxide emissions has been reduced 70 percent and the rate of sulfur dioxide emissions has been reduced 80 percent. Consumers Energy is actively planning to reduce these emissions even further as it implements the new Clean Air Interstate Rule. In addition, the company is preparing to implement the first-ever mandate to reduce mercury emissions under the Clean Air Mercury Rule. Consumers Energy is also participating with peer companies in the Administration's voluntary greenhouse gas reduction program to reduce carbon intensity, even though this greenhouse gas is not federally regulated.

On behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to offer my highest praise to Consumers Energy for its extraordinary efforts to address air quality in the United States. This company's initiative and forethought will not only benefit the people of the Seventh District and the State of Michigan, but the United States as a whole.

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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 151, No. 78