By Gari Voss
The Allegan High School Conference Center filled on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, with residents eager to hear from representatives of Consumers Energy and Confluence Hydro regarding the transition of ownership of the Calkins Bridge Dam and twelve other dams in the Consumers fleet of hydroelectric plants.
On September 9, 2025, it was announced that Consumers would be selling its fleet to Confluence Hydro, owned by Hull Street Energy. To better understand the needs, wants and concerns of the communities around each dam, the companies set meetings so the 13 communities impacted could have Q&A sessions. The Allegan group was the first stop on the tour.
Consumers began the evening by reviewing the process that led them to putting the dams on the sales block, and the reasons they felt comfortable working with Confluence Hydro, LLC. Consumers Energy is still waiting for state and federal regulator approval that often takes 12 to 18 months.
“Consumers Energy requests with the Michigan Public Service Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are the first steps in the regulatory process to sell the dams,” the release stated. “Once approved, Confluence Hydro will own and operate the dams with a 30-year agreement to sell energy, capacity and renewable energy credits they produce back to Consumers Energy.”
Confluence is known for taking ownership of a variety of renewable operations, improving safety, increasing sustainability, and generating clean, reliable energy for the communities they serve. The goal of the Town Halls is to listen to the wants, needs, and concerns of the stakeholders.
Throughout the Town Hall on Wednesday, Confluence stressed the importance of safety for workers, the community and the environment. Confluence explained their plan to make improvements to all 13 dams will utilize improved data-driven technology and state-of-the-art IT systems which will facilitate renewing state and federal licenses and promote efficiency and profitability.
Confluence Hydro and Hull Street Energy have become known for creating clean energy by maintaining safe dams that lead to sustaining the hydropower production of “legacy” dams. Acquiring Consumers Energy’s fleet of dams falls in their wheelhouse. Dams in other states have already felt the modernization of older dams, advanced IT systems, and data-driven predictive maintenance that have increased reliability and sustainability.
Questions from the community touched on emergency planning to which Confluence explained that this was required for licensing. Concerns regarding lake levels and dock permits related to recreation on Lake Allegan were top priorities for those how live and play on the lake. Confluence representatives shared that they are committed to civic responsibility, and these Open Houses assisted them in understanding the priorities of the communities around each dam.
Community members wondered how Confluence Hydro was going to pay for everything since Consumers had stated that a main reason to retire from the hydroelectric business was the cost of keeping dams licensed. Also, it had been reported that Confluence would be selling the electricity produced back to Consumers at an increased cost. The Confluence team acknowledged that the cost of electricity may increase. At the same time, Consumers Energy representatives felt that the increase would be less than if CE retained the fleet of dams.
The message reiterated throughout the evening was that Confluence Hydro wants to be a good neighbor who builds a partnership with the community it serves. Representatives acknowledged that the process will require problem solving. The company will take care of the expenses to make the improvements required for licensing. Working with the EPA and DNR will be of utmost importance. A remediation plan for the lake will be part of the process.
Confluence Hydro is investing in Michigan and has already established a footprint with employees located in different areas of the state. The plan is to have a dedicated location once the sale is finalized. The team reminded the audience that they were only 60 days into the process, and these meetings are extremely important.
Questions circled back to financing. An audience member referred to the fact that Confluence has sold dams of which they took ownership in other states. The team assured those in attendance that the plan for those dams differed and pointed to the 30-year agreement. Signing this agreement with Consumers Energy meant Confluence was in for the long haul. In addition, representatives touched on the fact that an LLC is funded different than a utility company.
As the session came to a close, Confluence Hydro representatives and Consumers Energy are committed to this sale. They realize that there will be some objectives from those who would like the dams removed and the areas returned to their natural state. There will be concerns regarding improvements and maintenance. But the important piece is that they are listening and taking into consideration what they learn as they continue the process of transferring ownership of thirteen hydroelectric dams in Michigan.
On Wed., Nov. 19, 2025, representatives from Consumers Energy and Confluence Hydro along with members of Public Sector Consultants led a Town Hall Q&A with members of the Allegan community who would be affected by the sale of the Calkins Bridge Dam that forms Lake Allegan. Those in attendance were able to ask questions and voice concerns regarding the sale and the future of the dam. Photo: G. Voss
