Consumers Energy is burying power lines in some West Michigan communities

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Power lines in Allegan, Allendale, Hillsdale and Saugatuck will be buried by Consumers Energy over the next two months, the company said.

The project is part of Consumer Energy's Reliability Roadmap , a plan they say will strengthen the power grid by burying 1,000 miles of power lines over the next five years. It also aims to restore power to customers who lose it within 24 hours.

Ten miles of lines are expected to be buried this year. Crews are working in Allegan and Allendale now and will soon start in Hillsdale and Saugatuck, burying overhead power lines in an effort to protect them from the weather elements.

"Consumers Energy is delivering on our promise to bury more power lines. This helps make the power grid stronger and, importantly, will help keep the lights on for customers, even during the most intense storms," wrote Chris Laird, Consumers Energy's vice president of electric operations, in a news release. "This is only the start. We plan to take on more upgrades like this next year and in the years after that."

Other goals of the Reliability Roadmap plan include clearing more lines, new technology, more durable iron poles and a robotic dog that uses thermal imaging and can help reduce power outages, Consumers says.