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It’s the August 2022 edition of the MPSC Spotlight, and we’ve got news this month about the Commission holding a regular Commission meeting in Detroit, an upcoming hearing on DTE Electric Co.’s pending rate case, a new, easier way to submit comments on cases before the Commission, and more.
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The MPSC is exploring ways to increase its outreach statewide, and on July 27 the agency held a regular Commission meeting in Detroit, the first regular meeting to be held outside of Lansing in recent memory.
The Commission met at Cadillac Place, the state office building that now occupies the former headquarters of General Motors in Detroit’s New Center neighborhood. A significant number of people attended the meeting, many offering comments on DTE Electric Co.’s pending rate case, Case No. U-20836.
Video of the July 27 meeting is available at the MPSC’s YouTube channel, where the MPSC posts recordings of all of its regular Commission meetings.
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As it continues to explore ways to broaden public engagement, the MPSC will hold a public hearing Aug. 22 in Detroit on DTE Electric Co.’s pending rate case.
MPSC Chair Dan Scripps and Commissioners Tremaine Phillips and Katherine Peretick will hold the hearing Monday, Aug. 22, from 6-8 p.m. at the Frank Hayden Community Room No. 236 at Wayne County Community College District’s downtown Detroit campus.
Customers of DTE Electric and other members of the public are welcome to speak at the hearing. The MPSC is opting for an in-person hearing to give residents a chance to speak directly to Commissioners about the utility’s application, filed in January, for approximately $388 million in additional revenues, in Case No. U-20836. All comments at the meeting will be filed in the case docket and be a matter of public record.
“The MPSC is looking at ways to increase public participation and outreach about energy and telecommunications issues critical to Michiganders’ lives,” Scripps said. “We look forward to hearing from DTE Electric customers on their thoughts and concerns.”
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The public can now submit comments on cases before the Commission using a new comments button in the MPSC’s E-Dockets system, the electronic repository for all public filings in regulatory matters overseen by the agency.
A new “Submit Comment” button is located near the top of the page when users of the E-Dockets system navigate to a specific case. Users clicking the button are reminded that comments submitted to the MPSC become a matter of public record, will be posted in the case docket, and subject to disclosure, before being directed to a New Case Comment form.
Commenters are required to submit their first and last names and email address and the form has optional fields for commenters to submit the city and state where they live, their ZIP code, and the organization they represent, if applicable, along with the comment; users also may submit a PDF attachment. Once the identifying information and comment are completed, users click the confirm button, and the comment is submitted to MPSC Staff for review to ensure personal identifiable information is redacted before it is posted online in the case docket. Users are reminded, as well, not to include information in their comments that they wish to remain private.
“As we continue to take steps to make public participation in proceedings at the MPSC easier and more convenient, this new method for submitting comments adds a simpler way for Michiganders to have their voices heard,” MPSC Chair Dan Scripps said.
The public may continue to submit comments by mail or email to the MPSC. Comments may be mailed to Executive Secretary, Michigan Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 30221, Lansing, MI 48909, or e-mailed to mpscdockets@michigan.gov. All comments should reference the appropriate case number.
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The MPSC’s leaders helped lead discussions on important issues facing Michigan’s energy industry during the 66th Annual Michigan Energy Providers Conference, held July 28-29 in Bellaire in northern Michigan.
- Chair Dan Scripps moderated a panel on resilient power and the evolution of the electric transmission system.
- Commissioner Tremaine Phillips moderated a panel on mutual assistance and readiness for severe weather.
- Commissioner Katherine Peretick moderated a panel on regional and national perspectives on changes in the energy industry.
The conference brings together stakeholders from across the energy industry, from investor-owned, cooperative and municipal utilities, transmission organizations, lawmakers, government agencies, and others, providing a forum on energy policy and issues.
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Give us a like at www.facebook.com/MichiganPSC, and follow us if you’re so inclined. We’re expanding our outreach and hope to connect with you so we can get important consumer information out to Michigan utility customers. You can also catch us on Twitter and LinkedIn and watch videos of meetings and other content on our YouTube channel.
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Here’s information on orders the Commission approved at its two most recent meetings:
- The MPSC approved a cost recovery plan for DTE Gas Co. but warned the utility that costs arising from the use of the NEXUS Gas Transmission LLC pipeline would face scrutiny and may not be recovered (Case No. U-20236). NEXUS is a 256-mile, 36-inch interstate pipeline transporting natural gas from receipt points in eastern Ohio to interconnections in southeast Michigan, in a partnership between the utility’s parent company, DTE Energy, and Enbridge Inc.
- The Commission approved Consumers Energy Co.’s reconciliation of its 2020 calendar year power supply cost recovery expenses and revenues but rejected the utility’s requested recovery of more than $2 million in costs stemming from outages at the Ludington Pumped Storage and J.H. Campbell plants (Case No. U-20526).
For more about these and other recent orders, check out the MPSC’s news releases from July 27 and Aug. 11.
Have a utility complaint, or need help with your utility service? We’re here to help. Submit your complaint or inquiry online or call 800-292-9555.
Tune in to our next regularly scheduled virtual commission meeting on Aug. 23, 2022, at 1:30 p.m.
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The mission of the Michigan Public Service Commission is to serve the public by ensuring safe, reliable, and accessible energy and telecommunications services at reasonable rates.
Michigan Public Service Commission
517-284-8100
7109 W. Saginaw Hwy,
Lansing, MI 48917
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