Area Consumers Energy project moving ahead

Consumers Energy has fully released two gas main extension projects in Atlas and Brandon townships.
In Brandon, the utility has received 356 applications of a total 806 possible customers within the second phase of the gas main extension project. In Atlas, Consumers has received 129 applications of the total 308 possible customers in the township. While the goal of 50 percent participation was not quite reached in each township, the projects will proceed and be open to all in the originally proposed areas.
‘The goal is to have construction done for both (project areas) by Nov. 1,? said Consumers Energy spokeswoman Debra Dodd. ‘Our current natural gas price is equivalent to only 77 cents per gallon of propane. That’s over $1.20 per gallon cheaper compared to the average propane price, so the savings can really add up. A typical customer could save about $1,400 per year.?
Last year, Consumers Energy completed all gas service installations in phase one of the Brandon Township project, which included 227 residences on Allen, Reese, Stanton, Sashabaw, Seymour Lake, and Sherwood roads, as well as side streets.
The second phase of Brandon will include Perry Lake, Seymour Lake, Hadley, Granger, Glass, Hummer Lake, Honert, Sawmill Lake, Ortonville and State Park roads, as well as numerous side streets.
Additionally,153 potential customers that were part of phase three planned for next year can connect now along the high pressure route in Brandon currently under construction, including Granger, Lockwood, Davison Lake, Oakwood, North Baldwin, and Shipman roads, as well as Morton Court.
In Atlas Township, phase one will include Atlas, Baldwin, Burpee, Dutch, E. Hill, Horton, Irish, James Richard, Jordan, Liscom, Perry, Ridge, Thayer, Vantine and Vassar roads, as well as Mancour, Pointe North and Sharon Hope drives, and Maple Avenue.
The customer contribution can be financed for $47.47 per month in Atlas, and for $49.50 per month in Brandon.
To sign up for natural gas service, call Consumers toll-free at 1-888-GAS-MAIN.