Consumers Energy is Asking for a 12% Rate Hike for Customers

Consumers Energy is once again looking for a rate hike and plans to pass the increase on to its customers.

The utility provider has requested a $248 million increase from the Michigan Pubic Service (MPSC) for its natural gas customers. However, that amount may get pared down by Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Attorney General Aims to Reduce Rate Hike

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging the MPSC to reduce the rate hike by about 70%.

According to WWMT-TV, Nessel has filed testimony with the Commission to reduce the increase from $248 million to just $76.5 million, which would result in an increase of about 3.7% for natural gas customers.

Nessel says Consumers Energy and DTE Energy are attempting to "prioritize padded profits."

“As we’ve seen time and again, Consumers Energy and DTE continue to prioritize padded profits over serving the needs of their customers in every rate hike request,” Nessel said.

The AG says her office feels that the utilities are simply looking to boost their bottom lines.

“In this case, our review found that about 70% of Consumers Energy’s proposed rate hike is unjustified. Once again, they are attempting to inflate their request by including unwarranted expenses to boost their bottom line and profitability, all on the backs of the Michigan ratepayers trapped in their monopoly."

Consumers Energy Claims Increase Request is Necessary.

Consumers Energy issued a rebuttal to Mid Michigan Now, saying the disagree with Nessel's assessment.

"We disagree with the Attorney General’s assessment that these investments are not needed, and we look forward to working with all stakeholders in the transparent process at the MPSC to determine what is best for Michigan’s customers."

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