LANSING – The Michigan Public Service Commission ordered Consumers Energy to refund some $39.6 million annualized for overcharging customers since May.
The commission found Monday (case No. U-15645) that Consumers could only increase its rates $139.4 million annually, less than the $215 million it had requested and the $179 million the utility increased its rates in May.
In addition to the rate refund, plus interest, the commission ordered Consumers to refund the remaining $73 million from the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant the commission had early found should belong to customers. Consumers already has refunded $36 million from that sale.
“Mindful that many residential and business customers are struggling to make ends meet, the commission took several actions in this rate case to safeguard them and to increase electric reliability,” said PSC Chair Orjiakor Isiogu. “And because the amount approved today is less than the amount that Consumers Energy self-implemented, customers are due a refund – plus interest.”
The commission rejected Consumers’ proposal to include executive bonuses in the rates, among other savings.
The PSC ordered Consumers to create a trust fund to cover costs of disposing of Palisades’ waste generated before 1983.
It also set aside a certain amount from the utility’s rates for tree trimming and required any unspent amounts to be refunded to customers in the future.
And it approved Consumers’ request for spending on advanced metering infrastructure.
Consumers has until January 6 to file a plan for refunding the excess rates collected.
Consumers spokesperson Jeff Holyfield said the utility was still reviewing the order and had no response as of late Monday.
MEETING DATES: The commission canceled its meeting for November 6. Its next meeting is at 10 a.m. November 12 in the commission chambers, Suite 7, 6545 Mercantile Way, Lansing.
a>>
