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In the wake of the lead water crisis in Flint, Jackson officials are ramping up their efforts to improve water testing in the city - going above and beyond federal water testing guidelines. While the Environmental Protection Agency requires Jackson to test homes within the city every three years for lead in the water supply, officials said they will begin to test lead levels annually while doubling the EPA-required number of homes tested. The state Department of Environmental Quality will perform its usual lead and copper tests in 30 locations within the city, while Jackson officials employ an independent firm to test an additional 30 locations. “The water crisis in Flint has raised concerns elsewhere, including in Jackson, and those concerns have not fallen on deaf ears,” said Will Forgrave, public information officer for the city of Jackson. “The city has sampled drinking water for lead and copper since 1992 - the year the federal Safe Drinking Water Act went into effect - and has never exceeded the EPA action level. “Still, we aren’t going to cut any corners when it comes to safe drinking water in Jackson,” he added. When sampling for lead and copper in the drinking water,…

CMS Energy announced today that John G. Russell has elected to retire from his position as the company’s president and chief executive officer on July 1, 2016, and is expected to become the chairman of the CMS Energy and Consumers Energy boards of directors on May 6. He would succeed David W. Joos who has elected to retire after serving on the boards for 15 years, including six years as chairman. “Dave is wrapping up a very distinguished career with CMS and we are grateful for his dedicated leadership,” said Russell. Patricia (“Patti”) Kessler Poppe will succeed Russell as CMS Energy and Consumers Energy president and chief executive officer in July and is nominated to join the CMS Energy and Consumers Energy boards of directors in May. Russell has served since 2010 as CMS Energy president and chief executive officer, and president and chief executive officer of Consumers Energy. Poppe, 47, is senior vice president of distribution operations, engineering and transmission for Consumers Energy, with overall responsibility for the company’s electric and natural gas distribution systems, energy operations and electric transmission. Previously, she served as vice president of customer operations, rates and regulation and joined Consumers Energy in 2011. Before…

Dennis Parshall, vice president of Utility Workers Union of America Local 101 at Consumers Energy, has been named Volunteer of the Year by the United Way of Jackson County. The local nonprofit organization also named Andrew Maynard and Hannah Locke, both students at Northwest High School, as Youth Volunteers of the Year. The honorees were announced at UWJC’s annual Volunteer Reception on Jan. 21.Nearly 100 people attended the event at Ella Sharp Museum in Jackson. “Volunteering is one of the best ways to connect our community for the common good,” said Ken Toll, President and CEO of UWJC. “Jackson County is fortunate to have hundreds of committed, compassionate volunteers, and we’re proud to celebrate them.” The financial impact of volunteerism in Jackson County is huge, Toll said. According to the Independent Sector, a one-hour work commitment from a single volunteer is worth $23.07. In 2015, United Way volunteers racked up 10,378 hours in Jackson County. Thus the financial value of those volunteer hours alone totaled $239,420, Toll said. Parshall is a pivotal member of the United Way workplace campaign team at Consumers Energy, having participated for more than 10 years. Well known for his efforts to engage colleagues in the…