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Thinking about starting a backyard project or other home improvement that involves digging? There’s one crucial step to take first.
The Michigan Public Service Commission reminds residents that any project that involves putting a shovel in the ground requires a call to MISS DIG 811 or to click on MISSDIG811.org. This ensures buried utilities can be marked in advance to prevent costly damage and potentially deadly consequences.
April is Safe Digging Month in Michigan, under a proclamation issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Before you start any projects that involve digging, help keep your family and neighbors safe by contacting MISS DIG 811, the state’s underground utility notification system, at least 72 hours in advance. All you have to do is dial 811 or click MISSDIG811.org to dig.
“Call or click before you dig, whether you’re a homeowner putting in a new deck, planting a tree or installing a fence or mailbox, or you’re a construction crew with a much bigger project,” MPSC Chair Dan Scripps said. “It’s a simple notification, and it alerts companies with buried utility lines to send out crews so that those underground lines can be clearly marked, no matter the size of your excavation project.”
When it comes to utility energy efficiency programs that help customers reduce unnecessary energy use and save money, Michigan ranked No. 1 in the country in a recent national scorecard.
Michigan’s utility energy waste reduction programs tied with California for first place in utility public benefits programs and policies in the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE) 2025 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard.
This category of the ACEEE’s report focuses on utility energy efficiency or energy waste reduction (EWR) programs and spending and the amount of savings for utility customers through electricity savings, natural gas and fuel savings, energy efficiency resource standards, performance incentives and fixed-cost recovery, low-income energy efficiency programs, and policies for equitable utility sector efficiency. Factoring in policies and programs that aren’t under the MPSC’s purview, Michigan ranked 17th among the states overall.
Michigan’s natural gas savings were first place in the nation in 2023, saving more than 6.3 million mcf (thousand cubic feet) that would have otherwise been used by customers absent the state’s energy waste reduction programs. In electricity savings, Michigan ranked in second place. Utilities saved nearly 1.7 million megawatt hours of electricity in 2023.
The report also found Michigan’s EWR programs got these results more cost effectively than other states that spent more but achieved lower savings.
“The MPSC is immensely proud of this accomplishment, spearheaded through the hard work of the Staff of our Energy Optimization Section,” said Commissioner Alessandra Carreon. “The goal of EWR is to enable utility customers to use energy more efficiently, reducing their energy costs and ensuring they receive benefits through offerings and programs.”
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The MPSC is asking interested organizations and individuals to provide feedback on proposals submitted for nearly $5 million in funding through a renewable energy and electrification infrastructure enhancement and development grant program.
The MPSC issued a request for proposals for $4.875 million in Renewable Energy and Electrification Infrastructure Enhancement and Development grants, with a March 20 deadline for applications. The RFP meets the requirements of Public Act 121 of 2024, under which the Legislature directed the MPSC to develop the grant program.
The grant program is for businesses, nonprofit organizations, units of local and state government and Tribal governments to fund the planning, developing, designing, acquiring or constructing of renewable energy and electrification infrastructure projects.
The MPSC received 76 proposals from 35 organizations, and the proposals are posted at the MPSC’s grant proposals webpage, where interested parties and the public may review and comment on the submissions. Public Act 121 requires the MPSC to allow the opportunity for all applications for this grant to be reviewed by local units of government, environmental groups, and business interests directly affected by the proposal. The MPSC also encourages all other interested persons directly affected by the proposals to review the applications and provide feedback.
After a 45-day review period, applicants will have a 15-day window to modify their proposal based on the comments received and resubmit, if desired. The final deadline for revised or modified proposals is May 27, 2025. Modified proposals must be submitted to LARA-MPSC-Grants-Administration@michigan.gov, and the email should explain that the proposal has been modified. Modified proposals will be posted to the grant webpage.
The MPSC anticipates notifying selected grant recipients of their award status in October. The anticipated grant start date is Jan. 1, 2026.
- The MPSC on March 21 approved a $153,809,000 increase in revenue for Consumers Energy Co., authorizing a number of investments aimed at reducing power outages and making the utility’s electric grid more reliable and resilient (Case No. U-21585). A typical residential customer using 500 kWh a month will see an increase of $2.78, or 2.79%, on their monthly bill.
- The Commission approved DTE Electric Co.’s application for its workplan for expedited review of pilot programs aimed at promoting innovation in energy delivery (Case No. U-21653). The Commission’s approval allows DTE Electric to file applications for individual pilot programs the company is considering in five focus areas: grid reliability and resiliency; distributed energy resource (DER) integration; decarbonization; beneficial electrification; and equity, access and affordability. The workplan also includes a mechanism for third-party organizations to submit pilot proposals and incorporates changes and feedback provided by interested parties.
Tune in to our next regularly scheduled commission meeting on April 24 at 1 p.m.
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