GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — As a result of its outstanding support for renewable energy in Michigan, Grand Rapids Community College has received the “Green Generation Customer of the Year” award from Consumers Energy.

Grand Rapids Community College has purchased more than 4.5 million kilowatt-hours of Michigan-based renewable energy since joining the Green Generation program in 2009. This purchase brings its commitment to renewable energy to a level representing 15 percent of its total annual electric consumption.

Grand Rapids Community College is the leading participant in the Green Generation program among all Michigan educational institutions, and overall, the 3rd largest participant in the program.

“We commend Grand Rapids Community College for demonstrating its leadership and commitment to environmental sustainability through its enrollment in the Green Generation program,” said Dave Johnson, Consumers Energy’s manager of business customer operations. “This campus is modeling environmental responsibility to students, faculty, staff and the community.”

Consumers Energy’s Green Generation program was the first voluntary renewable energy program in Michigan and now has more than 14,500 customer participants. The program was launched following authorization by the Michigan Public Service Commission. More than 100 organizations are enrolled in the Green Generation program. These include the City of Grand Rapids, Wolverine World Wide and the University of Michigan (Flint).

Green Generation has led to the development of several new renewable energy projects in Michigan, including the state’s largest wind facility, Michigan Wind 1 in the Thumb region. Other Green Generation projects include biomass facilities located near Birch Run, Lennon, Marshall and Zeeland. Consumers Energy also purchases electricity for the program generated by two wind turbines near Mackinaw City. All of the projects are located in Michigan‘s Lower Peninsula and all sources are Green-e certified as renewable.

The Green Generation program offers Consumers Energy’s electric customers an opportunity to support renewable energy by enrolling in the voluntary program and paying a small premium. Program information is available at www.greengeneration.com

Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and electricity to 6.8 million of Michigan‘s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

SOURCE Consumers Energy