Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has reiterated her intention to protect utility customers by intervening in major rate cases before the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). This announcement follows Consumers Energy's notice last month that it plans to seek another natural gas rate increase in December.

According to MPSC rules, utilities must notify the commission at least 60 days before filing a new rate hike request. Consumers Energy submitted its notice on October 16, shortly after the MPSC approved a $157.5 million natural gas rate increase for the company.

It is not yet clear how much more Consumers Energy will request in its upcoming filing. In its previous case, the company sought an increase of $248 million, which would have raised residential rates by 12%. A summary of the forthcoming request is expected ahead of the formal application, which is scheduled for December.

"Michigan families are doing everything they can to manage rising costs, and they shouldn’t have to brace for rate hike after rate hike from DTE and Consumers Energy," said Nessel. "We cannot keep allowing these utilities to treat these hikes as business as usual while their customers struggle to pay their bills. My office will scrutinize this upcoming rate hike request for unreasonable or unsupported costs, just as we do in every major case, and just like every other time we’ve done so, I am sure we will uncover millions in indefensible costs. Michigan’s utility corporations must be held accountable to their customers as they seek these incessant rate hikes."

Previous requests from DTE and Consumers Energy have included questionable expenses such as private jet travel for executives and other costs that could not be justified as reasonable or necessary. Currently pending cases before the MPSC include DTE's latest electric rate hike (U-21860) and Consumers Energy's electric rate case (U-21870). Additionally, DTE filed a notice in September signaling plans to formally apply for a natural gas increase next week.