© 2024 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Regulators Cut Consumers Energy Power Rate Increase

Power line worker image
WKAR Photo
A Consumers Energy employee works to restore power to customers outside of Mason.

Michigan regulators have approved a nearly $66 million electric rate increase for Consumers Energy Co. that takes effect Sunday and is about 38 percent of what the Jackson-based utility originally sought.

The Michigan Public Service Commission says the increase approved Thursday means a residential customer using 500 kilowatt hours of electricity per month will see their monthly bills increase by $1.87 compared to previously approved rates.

Since the utility self-implemented a $2.46 monthly increase in October, customers will see their bills decrease by 59 cents.

The approved rate increase compared with the original $173 million that Consumers sought on March 31.

Consumers later lowered its request to $148 million and on Oct. 1, 2017, self-implemented a $130 million rate increase.

Journalism at this station is made possible by donors who value local reporting. Donate today to keep stories like this one coming. It is thanks to your generosity that we can keep this content free and accessible for everyone. Thanks!