Michigan residents might be feeling the heat, and we're not just talking about the summer temperatures. Attorney General Dana Nessel has stepped into the fray, challenging Consumers Energy's big ask: a $436 million annual electric rate hike. This move comes on the heels of an already approved $154 million increase that started hitting customer bills this past April. According to the Michigan Department of Attorney General, this isn't just a drop in the bucket; it's part of a troubling trend of climbing costs for Michigan's utility users.
The sticker shock from this latest proposal is not the only worry—for households, the rates could jump by 13.3%. As per the Michigan Department of Attorney General, Nessel said, “Before Consumers Energy, or anyone else for that matter, can even begin to measure any affordability or reliability improvements from their last rate hike, the company is back in business asking to bill their customers an additional $400 million annually.” Squeezing in $24 million more through a surcharge for deferred distribution costs, the utility's financial reach extends further than before.
The Attorney General has a track record of jumping into major utility cases before the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). Her office is going to scrutinize the filing to ensure that customers aren't paying a penny more for benefits that can't be measured. And when it comes to benefits, Nessel's interference has previously saved Michigan consumers over $3.7 billion, as reported by her office.
This intervention isn't an isolated case. Nessel’s team has also rolled up their sleeves to dig into the numbers on other rate hike requests, like DTE's latest electric bump. Having discovered expenditures such as private jet travel for executives before, which couldn't be tied to customer advantages. As per the Michigan Department of Attorney General, “My office will thoroughly scrutinize this request and will not be deterred in our fight to protect Michigan ratepayers from corporate greed and endless, increasing rate hikes.”
