MPSC directs Consumers Energy Company and DTE Electric Company to make filings related to the establishment of a State Reliability Mechanism
LANSING, Mich. – (RealEstateRama) — The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today rescheduled proceedings for Consumers Energy Company (Consumers Energy) and DTE Electric Company (DTE Electric) related to the implementation of a State Reliability Mechanism (SRM), which addresses the long-term adequacy of the state’s electric resources. The MPSC’s order also directs MPSC staff to commence a technical conference to address certain issues raised that are tangentially related to the establishment of the SRM.
Both Consumers Energy (Case No. U-18239) and DTE Electric (Case No. U-18248) have been directed to file applications by April 11 to implement an SRM. To expedite these proceedings, the MPSC will read the record in these cases, dispensing with the need for the administrative law judge to prepare a proposal for decision.
The MPSC will address the need for SRM proceedings for Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corporation, Upper Peninsula Power Company and Cloverland Electric Cooperative in the future.
The MPSC on Feb. 28 issued an order that temporarily suspended the schedules for the SRM proceedings established for Consumers Energy and DTE Electric and established a comment period on the scope and the schedules for the proceedings related to implementation of certain sections of Public Act 341 of 2016 (PA 341).
Additional MPSC actions today include:
Case No. U-18115: Noting that the regulation of the telecommunications industry has changed drastically since the passage of Public Act 299 of 1972, MPSC modified the public utility assessment (PUA) applicable to telecommunications providers, adopted a revised fee schedule for natural gas producers and pipeline operators and common carrier petroleum pipeline operators. The order cuts the PUA for telecommunications providers by 50 percent, adjusts the fee schedule for pipeline applications, eliminates outdated fees and increases certain fees for natural gas producers and pipeline operators. The MPSC on July 6, 2016, opened a docket to consider revisions to the amount of PUA to be paid by regulated entities in the future.
Case No. U-15801: The MPSC said it is seeking public comment on updating procedures dealing with the allocation of the amount of electric load to be served by an alternative electric supplier, as required by PA 341. Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. on March 24, and reply comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. on April 7. Written comments should be sent to: Executive Secretary, Michigan Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 30221, Lansing, MI 48909. Electronic comments may be emailed to 
Case Nos. U-18239, U-18248, U-18115 and U-15801
For more information about the MPSC, please visit www.michigan.gov/mpsc or sign up for one of its listservs to keep up to date on MPSC matters.
