On Demand

Consumers Energy has been ranked as Michigan’s top company – and ninth in the nation – in Newsweek’s annual “Green Rankings,” a reflection of its commitment to environmental principles that are good for its home state of Michigan and customers. Consumers Energy was flanked by Apple and Johnson & Johnson on the list of top performing companies in the country. California-based Cisco Systems finished first overall. “This independent, national recognition affirms our efforts to protect the planet we all cherish while providing the energy Michigan needs,” said Patti Poppe, Consumers Energy’s president and chief executive officer. “We are excited to be recognized for our commitment to providing energy from increasingly clean energy sources and taking actions that preserve the natural resources of Michigan.” Newsweek’s annual survey of companies’ environmental performance looks at such factors as support for clean energy, reduction of carbon emissions and efforts to reduce and divert waste. Consumers Energy and parent company CMS Energy have taken several recent actions that are good for the environment. The company: n  Closed seven coal-fired power plants last year – a higher percentage of its coal plants than any investor-owned utility in the U.S. n  Provides over 10 percent of the electricity that its Michigan…