Could a $240M gas rate hike result in a bill increase for your family if approved?

LANSING, Mich. – This week, Consumers Energy, which sells natural gas to 1.8 million customers across the state, filed a request with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to hike natural gas rates by $240 million annually.

If approved, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office says that rate hike would amount to nearly a 10% increase for Consumers Energy gas customers, including an 8% hike for residential customers.

AG Dana Nessel issued this statement on the matter:

As the state’s chief consumer advocate, it is my responsibility to protect Michiganders from utility companies that repeatedly seek to overcharge ratepayers to pad their own profits. Consumers Energy has consistently filed these rate hike requests filled with unjustifiable costs, and my office has consistently intervened to ensure any unfair or indefensible costs are not foisted onto its customers. Less than three months ago, the MPSC cut nearly 40% of Consumers Energy’s requested natural gas rate hike because the utility’s proposed costs could not be justified. This happens over and over again and amounts to millions of dollars. My office will once again thoroughly review this latest request, which – based on nearly every past experience with Consumers Energy – will undoubtably contain many of the same unjustified and overstated costs we’ve seen time and again from its incessant rate hike requests.

Consumers Energy made this comment on the new request:

Consumers Energy is fully committed to Michigan and the people we serve. We stand by our natural gas rate request and will demonstrate to the Public Service Commission that our proposals are needed to continue heating homes and businesses safely, reliably and affordably. Our customers’ rates today are below the state, Midwest and national average, and we will continue to work actively to squeeze every dollar out of our system for the well-being of our customers.

Approximately three months ago, the MPSC approved a $157.5M natural gas rate hike.

RELATED LINK: Michigan Public Service Commission approves Consumers Energy rate hike