Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said on April 6 that she will continue to intervene in all major rate cases before the Michigan Public Service Commission after Consumers Energy announced its intent to seek another electric rate hike as early as June 2, 2026. The announcement comes just seven days after the commission approved a $276.6 million electric rate increase for the company, which is set to take effect May 1.
The issue is significant for many Michigan residents who rely on Consumers Energy for electricity and natural gas, as repeated rate hikes can impact household budgets and affordability. According to Nessel, “The rate hike just approved by the MPSC hasn’t even taken effect yet, and Consumers Energy is already gearing up to reach back into the pockets of Michigan families.” She also said, “Ratepayers don’t have a choice in who they buy their energy from, yet our utility companies still choose to make these relentless and unsustainable rate hike demands year after year. Announcing plans to file what we expect to be a new multi-hundred-million-dollar request just seven days after securing a nearly $280 million hike proves how truly broken this system has become. Ratepayers are trapped in a loop where the demands for more from these massive utilities never end, even as energy prices become unaffordable for working families. My office will continue to scrutinize every penny of this upcoming filing, but intervention alone is no longer enough. It is past time for legislators on both sides of the aisle to come together and fix this broken system for Michiganders.”
Consumers Energy’s previous request sought an increase of $436 million plus an additional surcharge that would have raised household rates by about 13 percent. A summary of its new request is expected before it files its formal application in June.
Recent filings from DTE and Consumers Energy have included costs such as private jet travel for executives and millions in incentive compensation linked with shareholder returns—costs not shown as reasonable or prudent according to information provided by state officials. Several other utility cases remain open before regulators including those involving DTE’s natural gas division (U-21973), SEMCO (U-22002), Upper Peninsula Power Company (U-22032), and Consumers’ own gas division (U-21981). DTE also recently filed notice it would seek another electric rate increase five days after its last approval.
Consumers Energy serves approximately 1.9 million electricity customers across Michigan along with supplying natural gas service statewide.
According to the official website, the Michigan Department of Attorney General advances social efforts through actions against human trafficking and support for vulnerable populations; focuses on serving residents through public service initiatives; operates with statewide authority; influenced policy by drafting expungement opportunities under Clean Slate law in 2019; and Dana Nessel holds office as Michigan’s 54th attorney general.