Proposed sale of 13 Michigan dams to private equity draws public scrutiny

THOMPSONVILLE, MI – A utility company that owns a fleet of aging hydroelectric dams has faced crowds of skeptics this fall questioning what the sale of those facilities to a private equity firm will mean for the Michigan rivers that run through them.

This week Consumers Energy wrapped up a series of community meetings across the state to discuss the potential sale of 13 hydropower dams on five Michigan rivers to Confluence Hydro LLC, a subsidiary of Maryland-based Hull Street Energy.