Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed testimony before the Michigan Public Service Commission advocating for a rate reduction for Consumers Energy Company's natural gas customers. Nessel stated, "For our efforts, we are able to present direct evidence to the Commission to refute the need for any rate hike for Consumers Energy at this time and argue Consumers’ customers should instead see a rate decrease."

Nessel's testimony revealed that Consumers Energy's $136 million rate increase request could be reduced significantly. She highlighted that Consumers Energy is seeking substantial increases in rates and profits, which would burden customers. Nessel argued for a return of 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of the Appliance Service Program to benefit customers, rather than shareholders. If adopted, customers could potentially see significant savings on their gas bills.

Expressing frustration with the repeated rate hikes, Nessel emphasized, "While Consumers Energy is once again begging the commission to let them squeeze their customers for even more on their gas bill, our experts can show that the customers are actually due a rate decrease."

Consumers Energy's rate hike request comes shortly after the approval of their previous natural gas rate hike. Nessel's intervention in utility cases has already saved Michigan consumers over $3 billion, demonstrating her commitment to affordable energy for consumers.

Approximately 1.8 million customers in Michigan rely on natural gas from Consumers Energy for various purposes, including heating their homes and businesses during the winter.