Michigan Regulator Issues Utility Recommendations, Including Ban on Yearly Rate Hikes

Michigan regulator issues utility recommendations, including ban on yearly rate hikes

LANSING, MI (WTVB) – The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) issued a comprehensive list of 19 policy recommendations aimed at lowering energy costs, highlighted by a headline proposal to ban large, investor-owned utilities from requesting annual rate hikes. Released in response to a June directive from Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the package targets the current regulatory system that allows dominant providers like Consumers Energy to pursu…

Detroit Evening Report: Michigan Public Service Commission recommends banning annual rate hike requests

The Michigan Public Service Commission is recommending lawmakers ban yearly rate hike requests from utility companies.  The recommendation is one of many on a list requested by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on ways to tackle energy affordability.  Commission Chair Dan Scripps says under Michigan law, utilities can submit a rate hike request every 12 months, and often do, even right after another request was approved.  He says the commission could se…

State energy regulators weighing "carrot or stick" strategy to improve utilities' performance

Solar panels are installed on the roof of every home in this net-zero energy community(THRIVE Collaborative / Matthew Grocoff)Electric utilities in Michigan might soon be offered a new batch of financial incentives if they meet benchmarks designed to boost reliability, restrain rates, and meet the state's renewable energy goals.Or, they'd be financially penalized for not meeting those benchmarks.The Michigan Public Service Commission is taking c…

Michigan Utility Regulator Calls For End To Annual Rate Hikes, New Rules To Lower Electric Bills

MPSC Plan Would Reshape How DTE, Consumers Energy Recover Costs As Michigan Electricity Prices Rank Second Highest In Midwest LANSING — Michigan’s utility regulator wants lawmakers to end the cycle of annual electric rate cases that allows DTE Energy and Consumers Energy to seek new increases soon after previous increases are approved. The Michigan Public Service Commission on Monday proposed potentially sweeping changes to the state’s utility r…