LANSING – The Public Service Commission on Friday issued its annual report on the implementation of the energy overhaul under PA 295 of 2008, and its findings on high investments and cheap costs had supporters calling on the Legislature to keep the momentum going.

The report indicated all electric providers except for Detroit Public Lighting are on pace to meet interim targets, as well as the 10 percent by 2015 target (the PSC has suspended all of DPL’s renewable energy filings during the city’s bankruptcy process). In addition, a total incremental cost of $1.6 billion was spent on renewable energy between 2009 and 2012.

“According to the MPSC’s report, more than $2 billion dollars have been invested in Michigan renewable energy projects since 2008 and this important investment has helped to put Michigan workers back to work,” Larry Ward, executive director of the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum, said in a statement.

Some provisions of PA 295, and most notably the renewable energy requirement, are set to expire in 2015. There has so far been little discussion in the Legislature about trying to extend and improve upon those requirements and, much to the dismay of proponents, Governor Rick Snyder did not mention renewable energy in his State of the State address last month.

“This should be a call to action to Michigan lawmakers and the governor. Without continued leadership from Governor Snyder and the Legislature, this forward progress could come to a halt,” Ward said. “Building on the success of Michigan’s renewable energy standard must be a part of our comeback plan as we work to turn Michigan around.”

Jack Schmitt, deputy director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, agreed.

“State legislators would be doing a disservice to the state to let our current standard expire in 2015,” he said in a statement regarding the report. “The report is one more push forward to put clean energy legislation on the books this year.”

Wind energy has been the primary source of new renewable energy in the state, the report concluded, as there were more than 1,100 megawatts of utility-scale wind projects in operation in Michigan at the end of 2013. That is on track to increase to more than 1,400 megawatts by the end of 2014 as well, the report found.

On the note of surcharges, most companies either do not charge one or have significantly decreased them since the implementation of the law. Specifically, 46 electric providers request no surcharge of their residential customers, nine companies charge up to $1 and four companies charge more than $2 for a surcharge.

DTE Electric’s renewable energy surcharge was reduced from $3 per meter per month to 43 cents per meter per month effective January 2014, and Consumers Energy Company has a case pending at with the commission that would reduce its renewable energy surcharge to zero, the report noted.

“Today’s report by the MPSC shows that the cost of renewable energy continues to decline dramatically, and our lawmakers should see this as an opportunity to reduce electricity bills for families, businesses and communities,” Samantha Harkins, director of state affairs for the Michigan Municipal League, said in a statement. “Reducing the cost of electricity for communities means more money to invest in providing better basic services, creating vibrant communities and improving our quality of life.”

The report also noted that the cost of wind energy has been cut in half since 2008 and continues to decline.

“With energy prices being one of our biggest costs of doing business, increasing our renewable energy standard will reduce costs and make our agribusinesses more competitive,” Jim Byrum, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, said in a statement applauding the findings of the report.

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