LANSING – Though they can implement the rate hikes without initial approval, the Michigan Public Service Commission is ordering more utilities to say exactly how much they plan to hike rates.
The commission had already ordered Consumers Energy and DTE Energy affiliates to disclose planned rate hikes when it could not complete their rate cases in the time allotted under new law, and the commission Thursday ordered Michigan Gas Utilities Corporation and Upper Peninsula Power Company to tell it what parts of proposed rate increases they will implement immediately.
Both of the utilities will be able to self-implement the rate increases on January 1. MGU (case No. U-15990) has asked for $8.4 million annually and UPPCO (case No. 15988) has asked for $3.8 million. The utilities have until November 23 to tell how much of that increase they will implement. Responses are due December 3.
Hearings on both rate increases are set for December 10 at the commission’s offices, Suite 7, 6545 Mercantile Way, Lansing. The UPPCO hearing will be at 9 a.m. and MGU’s will be at 1 p.m.
WIND TURBINES: The commission also has scheduled a hearing on proposed wind turbine setbacks and noise limitations based on the Wind Energy Resource Zone Board’s final report.
The hearing is set for November 23 at 11 a.m. in the commission’s offices, though the event will be shown via video conference to the Huron Area Technical Center, 1160 South Van Dyke Road, Bad Axe; and Room 215/217, University Center, Boardman Lake Campus, Northwestern Michigan College, 2200 Dendrinos Drive, Traverse City.
NEXT MEETING: The commission has rescheduled its next meeting to November 6 from November 10.
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