Capitol News

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has stated her continued commitment to advocating for consumers as Consumers Energy prepares to seek another natural gas rate increase. The announcement follows Consumers Energy’s filing with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) on October 16, signaling its intent to request a new rate hike in December.

Under MPSC regulations, utilities must notify the commission at least 60 days before formally applying for a rate increase. This latest notice from Consumers Energy comes shortly after the commission approved a $157.5 million natural gas rate hike for the company. In its previous case, Consumers Energy had requested an increase of $248 million, which would have raised residential rates by 12%. Details of the new request are expected prior to the official application next month.

Attorney General Nessel commented on the situation: “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,” she said. “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 by both DTE and Consumers Energy included expenses such as executive private jet travel and other charges that were not shown to be reasonable or necessary. Current cases before the MPSC include DTE’s electric rate hike request (U-21860) and Consumers Energy’s electric rate hike request (U-21870). Additionally, DTE announced plans in September to submit a formal application for a natural gas rate increase next week.