Courtesy photo

GUSTIN TOWNSHIP – Consumers Energy is scheduling two four-hour power outages that will affect residents of Gustin Township in Alcona County. The planned outage is part of the rebuilding of an electric substation that will provide better service to the area.

“We want to thank our customers in advance as we finish connecting this major piece of electric infrastructure that will improve the reliability of customers’ electric service,” said Steve Herrygers, Consumers Energy’s senior executive director of high voltage distribution. “This upgrade is important for the long term, even as we acknowledge it will cause a short-term inconvenience. We plan to do this work quickly and safely, and get the lights back on.”

Some 1,429 residents of the Lincoln and Harrisville area will be affected by work that will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on SAturday. If work needs to be rescheduled, that will start at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7.

The other work will affect 799 customers west of Greenbush, including the community of Mikado, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 3. The backup date is Feb. 10.

The project includes replacement of aging equipment. The rebuilt substation will have increased electrical capacity that will be served from new, more reliable high-voltage distribution lines. Customer circuits will also be configured to allow faster response times if outages occur.

Consumers Energy is upgrading equipment and strengthening the electric grid as part of its Reliability Roadmap to reduce the number and length of power outages across Michigan.

Postcards were mailed to affected customers in the area. Customers should call Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050 if they have questions or concerns.