Press Releases

In its first major regulation in response to the frequent power outages that have plagued Michigan consumers, the Michigan Public Service Commission on March 17 failed to approve important reforms advocated by the Citizens Utility Board of Michigan, Attorney General Dana Nessel and many other stakeholders that would have created additional consumer protections to set Michigan on the path to better electric reliability.

CUB, the AG and others had called for limits on the ability of Michigan's utilities like DTE and Consumers Energy to recover the costs of those bill credits through higher electric rates. The Commission did not order any such action, meaning that utilities will be able to request rate hikes on the very same customers who suffer from poor electric reliability that is, in great part, the result of the utilities' mismanagement of the distribution grid. The Commission also declined to endorse CUB's proposal to more closely tie bill credits to the length of outages so customers get more compensation for longer outages.

CUB in the News: Widespread power outages spark new state website to hold utilities accountable

Posted by · March 10, 2022 11:06 AM

MLive

By Sheri McWhirter

March 9, 2022

https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2022/03/widespread-power-outages-spark-new-state-website-to-hold-utilities-accountable.html

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CUB in the News: AG Nessel, Citizens Utility Board Urge Clean Energy Comments from Utilities

Posted by · March 02, 2022 3:11 PM

Blue Water Healthy Living

March 2, 2022

https://bluewaterhealthyliving.com/ag-nessel-citizens-utility-board-urge-clean-energy-comments-from-utilities-2/

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Press Release: AG Nessel, Citizens Utility Board Urge Clean Energy Comments from Utilities

Posted by · March 01, 2022 3:47 PM

https://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-359-92297_47203-578075--,00.html

Media contact: Lynsey Mukomel 517-599-2746
Public inquiries: 517-335-7622

March 1, 2022

LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined the Citizens Utility Board of Michigan (CUB) in asking the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to seek comments from utilities on their plans to incorporate federal grants and loans that are available to assist in addressing the climate crisis.

In a joint letter sent to the MPSC Monday, Nessel and CUB Executive Director Amy Bandyk noted the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law in November, provides millions of federal investment dollars that utilities can rely on for infrastructure improvement related to clean energy. It also asks the MPSC to "issue an order asking the utilities and interested parties to file comments on available federal programs as they pertain to Michigan's regulated utilities."

"This historic investment provides an opportunity for Michigan utilities to focus on cleaner energy, while also helping to address cost barriers that previously impacted transition plans," Nessel said. "It's our hope that commission leadership can make this a focus and prioritize the use of these federal dollars."

"Transitioning to cleaner energy is essential, but we need to make sure the costs aren't overly burdensome for Michigan's residential ratepayers who already pay some of the highest rates for energy in the country," Bandyk said. "We joined with AG Dana Nessel on this request because these federal funds are a big opportunity to benefit all Michigan residents."

A copy of the letter is available on the Department of Attorney General website.

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