DTE Energy bringing natural gas, opportunity to Tri-County Region in Northern Michigan
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This post is sponsored by our partners at American Gas Association.
Residents of Benzie, Manistee and Wexford counties in Michigan can breathe a sigh of relief this winter as natural gas becomes available in the region for the first time leading to significant savings, increased comfort and improved reliability.
In June 2023, the Michigan Public Service Commission approved a total of $50 million in state funds for low-carbon energy infrastructure and development projects across the state. One of the largest project grants awarded within the fund allows DTE Energy to expand natural gas service out to Benzie, Manistee and Wexford counties offering residents and businesses the opportunity to switch from propane to natural gas. Construction began in April 2024 and is expected to conclude in November 2024 with about 1,000 properties along the service route, most of which currently use propane and/or wood as their main source of energy.
Since June 2022, DTE has conducted a comprehensive outreach campaign to customers and communities that stand to benefit from the project. The company held 24 separate sessions with community groups, including meetings with local officials and interested community members across the three counties. Dozens of communities and potential customers have voiced support for the expansion project, noting natural gas’s reliability and affordability advantages compared to propane.
The availability of natural gas is expected to significantly reduce energy costs and boost local competitiveness in attracting economic development projects. According to the grant proposal, natural gas could reduce individual customer energy costs by as much as 60 percent and lower carbon dioxide emissions by 14 percent in the impacted communities.
Mesick Consolidated Schools stated that switching to natural gas could save them up to $60,000 annually in energy costs, allowing them to further invest in educational resources for students in a rural, economically challenged district. The largest employer in Benzie County, Crystal Mountain, strongly supported the grant application noting its transformative potential for the region as the lack of natural gas service has long been a deterrent to investment in the area. The availability of natural gas service is expected to be a huge boon for the area’s agriculture sector, with a handful of large farms located along the service route that could see significant energy savings, particularly for uses like grain drying.
The use of natural gas is a key driver of economic growth and sustainable development. To learn more about the role of natural gas in fueling some of the most vital sectors of the U.S. economy, click here.
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