Consumers Energy 
has announced a number of improvements to improve reliability in the Delton, Martin and Gun Lake areas after a series of outages related to weather, equipment and trees.
“While controlling the weather is beyond our means, updating our equipment and clearing the electric lines lessens the impact weather has on your electric service reliability,” said Consumers Energy spokesman Dennis McKee, who appeared before the Martin Township Board Wednesday evening. “Consistent, reliable energy is necessary for powering every home, business and neighborhood in the communities we serve.“
Four electric circuits serve about 7,400 customers in the Delton, Martin and Gun Lake areas. Line clearing and upgrade projects have been accelerated to improve service. Some elements of the plan to improve reliability are:
- Utility pole replacements on the Delton-Cloverdale circuit with completion expected by spring of 2017.
- Electric distribution line replacement on the Delton–Cloverdale circuit with work starting October 2016 (after bat related forestry moratorium).
- Higher voltage electric distribution line replacement projects this fall on the 7.3-mile Delton spur.
- High voltage line systems and equipment upgrades, along with substation upgrades, to enhance redundancy and overall reliability.
- Accelerated line clearing activity, including 100 miles of lines cleared by April 2017.
“Through this fall and winter, electric lines will be replaced, trees will be trimmed and electric reliability will be improved,” McKee said.
In the Delton, Martin and Gun Lake Region project area:
- Line clearing and system improvement projects across the state are ongoing, with the Delton, Martin and Gun Lake area improvements incorporated into a broader company strategy to maintain reliability.
- The project represents over $6 million in upgrades that customers will see beginning in October and continuing through spring.
- Due to federal environmental regulations protecting the endangered Indiana Bat, some work must begin after October 15.
- Open houses Sept. 20 in Delton and Sept. 27 in Wayland are one way we are communicating these improvements to our customers. Outreach will continue in your communities to maintain communication.
- The open houses will include representatives from engineering, forestry, customer service and public affairs to discuss current and future work plans.
- Additional communications will be sent to keep you updated on these projects and our progress in improving your electric reliability.
- Consumers Energy works with communities where work is scheduled to take place, sharing in advance of the actual work.
- Planners walk circuits where work is scheduled, talking to people in person or leaving contact information, and marking trees that will be trimmed.
- Letters are mailed to all homeowners and businesses affected informing them of impending circuit work.
PHOTO: Consumers Energy spokesman Dennis McKee showed a map of the areas that will see improvements to the Martin Township Board Wednesday evening.
