JACKSON, MI - Renewable energy sources will take the place of coal as a means to generate electricity in the coming decades, Consumers Energy President and CEO Patti Poppe announced Monday, Feb. 19.

Six clean energy goals have been set by the utility, in order to reduce Consumers' carbon footprint while keeping prices affordable.

They are:

Cut carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2040

No longer use coal to generate electricity by 2040

Have 40 percent of the energy produced in 2040 come via renewable sources or energy storage

Save 1 billion gallons of water in the next five years

Reduce waste sent to landfills by 35 percent in the next five years

Enhance, restore or protect 5,000 acres of land in Michigan in the next five years

Moving forward, Poppe wants Consumers to drive technological advancement for renewable energy.

"We definitely believe, as a corporate citizen, that we must stand for more than profits," Poppe said.

Efforts in many of these areas have already started. According to a Consumers release, the company has reduced its carbon intensity, water usage and landfill usage substantially.

"We think climate change is a real issue and we can absolutely make a difference," Poppe said. "We believe it is incredibly important that we step up to the plate and take the appropriate actions to be on the right side of history on a critical issue like climate change."

Currently, more than 10 percent of energy from Consumers comes from renewable resources - mostly via wind, Poppe said. With solar power prices dropping, Poppe said that will become a larger piece for the company.

"We know that our company has a huge environmental footprint," Consumers Vice President Brandon Hofmeister said. "We have the ability to make a major difference for Michigan by being a true steward of Michigan's amazing natural resources."

Consumers will release an integrated resource plan in June with more details on the goals. While Hofmeister said it's difficult to forecast future rates, he said any changes won't make major impacts on prices for customers.

"In the past, people believed that we had to choose between affordable and clean energy," Poppe said. "We don't subscribe to that 'sucker's choice.' Our commitment is to achieve our goal and keep our prices affordable."