Consumers Energy filed a request with the Federal EnergyRegulatory Commission (FERC) to transfer its electric transmissionsystem assets to a new wholly owned subsidiary, Michigan ElectricTransmission Company (Michigan Transco). The proposed transfer isthe first step in a plan to sell or transfer control of itstransmission business to a party which meets the requirements ofFERC Order 2000. Michigan Public Act 141, the electric industryrestructuring legislation signed by Governor Engler in June,requires that investor-owned Michigan utilities sell or transfercontrol of their transmission systems to an independentorganization by the end of next year. After the transfer iscompleted, Consumers will function solely as a generation anddistribution company taking service from Michigan Transco underFERC-approved transmission tariffs. “Our next step is to fullyevaluate all alternatives to achieve full independence of thetransmission business,”said David W. Joos, president andCEO-electric.Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMSEnergy, is Michigan’s largest utility providing natural gas andelectricity to more than six million people.

©Copyright 2000 Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. Thepreceding news report may not be republished or redistributed, inwhole or in part, in any form, without prior written consent ofIntelligence Press, Inc.