<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-32.(B)
<SEQUENCE>18
<FILENAME>k80589exv32wxby.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSUMERS ENERGY 906 CERTIFICATION OF CEO & CFO
<TEXT>
<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit (32)(b)

                    CERTIFICATION OF CEO AND CFO PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Consumers Energy Company
(the "Company") for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003 as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"),
Kenneth Whipple, as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, and Thomas J. Webb, as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company, each hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section
1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
that, to the best of his knowledge:

         (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.

    /s/ Kenneth Whipple
----------------------------
Name:  Kenneth Whipple
Title: Chairman of the Board and
       Chief Executive Officer
Date:  November 12, 2003

   /s/ Thomas J. Webb
----------------------------
Name:  Thomas J. Webb
Title: Executive Vice President and
       Chief Financial Officer
Date:  November 12, 2003

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
