MICHIGAN,. (WPBN/WGTU) – – The Michigan Public Service Commission has approved a natural gas rate increase for Consumers Energy Co., aimed at enhancing the safety and reliability of its gas pipeline system.
The Commission authorized a rate hike of $157,495,000, significantly lower than the $248 million initially requested by the company.
The new rates, effective November 1, will result in a $4.44 increase, or 6.88%, on the monthly bill of a typical residential customer using 75 ccf (hundred cubic feet).
The Commission prioritized investments in Consumers’ infrastructure replacement programs, approving $208.93 million for enhanced infrastructure and $42.51 million for vintage service replacements.
Additionally, $1.9 million was approved for the Low to Moderate Income Customer Support enhancement project, although some costs were disallowed.
The Commission also disallowed proposed renovation costs for the Kalamazoo Service Center, directing Consumers to present evidence in a future rate case.
However, it approved costs for relocating the Lansing Service Center and constructing a new Hastings Service Center.