LANSING – The Public Service Commission on Thursday approved most of Consumers Energy Company’s revised renewable energy plan that includes a complete elimination of the renewable energy charge effective with the July billing month.

“The elimination of the renewable energy surcharge reflects the falling cost of wind-generated energy,” PSC Chair John Quackenbush said in a statement. “Technology improvements make wind energy more efficient, reducing its cost and benefitting customers.”

The utility was directed to file its renewable energy plan biennial review case, which shall include an evaluation of the pilot experimental advanced renewable energy program and a proposal for continuing the by program, by May 26, 2015, the PSC said (Case U-17301).

MIDWEST ENERGY COOPERATIVE: The commission also approved a request by Midwest Energy Cooperative for waivers from certain code of conduct rules, with one exception, to enable the utility to deploy high-speed internet in unserved and underserved parts of Michigan (Case U-17513).

The order approves the utility’s request for waivers except for the requirement that an electric utility that offers both regulated and unregulated services structurally or functionally separate the programs to prevent cross-subsidization, information sharing, and preferential treatment, the PSC said.

The commission’s approval is also conditioned upon Midwest filing clarifying cost allocation between Midwest and its business unit providing Internet service within 10 days of the issuance of the order.

“Michigan is a national leader in expanding broadband access, adoption and use,” Quackenbush said in a statement. “Today’s order allows Midwest Energy Cooperative to provide reliable, high-speed Internet to rural parts of Michigan, which provides those communities with access to a better business environment, more effective community and economic development, improved healthcare services, enhanced education and more efficient government services.”

GAS PIPELINE SAFETY: The commission is seeking public comment on the proposed revisions to rules governing gas pipeline safety to incorporate updated federal standards into the Michigan rules, it said Thursday (Case U-17462). A public hearing has been scheduled at 10 a.m. on July 17, at Constitution Hall, 525 West Allegan Street, in Lansing. Written comments may be submitted by 5 p.m. on July 30 to Executive Secretary, Michigan Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 30221, Lansing, 48909.

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