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Hello! The arrival of a new Commissioner is the highlight of the August issue of the MPSC Spotlight. This edition also features information about a chance for Michiganders to have their say on what factors should be used in utility long-term planning for electricity generation, what to watch out for as scammers pose as utility company representatives to con people out of money and private financial data, and more.
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The Michigan Public Service Commission has a new member of the Commission: Shaquila Myers, who brings deep experience in policymaking in Lansing.
Myers has previously served as chief of staff for former Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate, for whom she worked on passage of the state’s 2023 energy law updates that ushered in a new clean energy standard, increased renewable energy and energy waste reduction standards, strengthened requirements for utility long-term integrated resource planning, and created a voluntary siting process at the MPSC for renewable energy and energy storage projects of statewide significance. She also helped spearhead passage of record economic development funding and efforts to pay off public school debt for struggling districts.
“I’m excited to join the Commission,” Myers said. “I’ve been committed to public service throughout my career, and working in the regulatory space is a new experience for me. I look forward to working with my fellow Commissioners and the MPSC’s dedicated staff on the significant energy and telecommunications issues Michigan faces.”
Chair Dan Scripps noted Myers’ decades of working on significant matters in Lansing and praised her effectiveness at marshalling support for legislative priorities. “It's exciting to have somebody join the Commission who’s been as actively and centrally engaged in policy making over the course of 20 years,” Scripps said. “Over the course of her career and in each of the many senior roles she’s had, Commissioner Myers has demonstrated an enduring commitment to public service. I’m pleased to welcome her to the MPSC.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed Myers to the Commission on July 21, 2025, for a six-year term ending July 2, 2031. In addition to serving as Chief of Staff to former Speaker Tate, Myers also served as a senior adviser to Governor Whitmer, chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, legislative director for Senate Democratic Leader Jim Ananich, and as a policy analyst for the Michigan Senate.
Myers is a native Detroiter who received a master’s in public administration and a bachelor’s degree from Oakland University.
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The MPSC will hold a public hearing in Grand Rapids on Sept. 9, 6 p.m. to-7:30 p.m., at the Eberhard Center located at 301 W. Fulton Street. Michiganders can weigh in on what factors they think should be included in the state’s electric utilities long-range planning. The hearing will be focused on how different electricity generating technologies should be analyzed to ensure utilities can meet the long-term needs of customers.
Officially called Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) planning parameters, these guidelines establish what utilities must consider in their required modeling of future electricity demand. IRPs are essentially a roadmap for ensuring energy companies can generate enough power over a period of up to 20 years to meet customer demand and comply with clean energy standards.
IRPs address many important issues, such as the retirement of current electricity generation resources, the potential need for new power generation, what mix of electricity generation technologies is appropriate, and the timing for building or acquiring new resources. IRPs also address programs that impact utility customer pocketbooks in other ways, from energy efficiency efforts that can reduce utility bills to programs to address utility affordability.
IRP planning parameters address matters including:
- How much electricity will be needed by electric vehicles in the state.
- How much electricity will be needed for homes and other buildings that may switch to electricity for space and water heating.
- What is the expected cost for natural gas used to fuel power plants.
- How utilities will meet environmental standards and renewable goals and clean energy standards.
- How adoption of rooftop solar and other distributed generation technologies will impact electricity demand.
We hope to see you in Grand Rapids! Anyone needing an accommodation to attend the meeting or wishing to inquire about accessibility may call 517-282-8090.
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Most every household in Michigan pays a monthly home energy bill, and criminals take advantage of that fact by posing as utility company representatives to try to swindle customers out of their money and personal financial information.
The MPSC is raising awareness about utility fraud throughout August, sharing important information that can help keep Michiganders from falling victim to scammers. The Commission is working with community organizations to share fraud prevention messages as well as highlighting the issue across the Commission’s social media accounts.
Check out the latest episode of the MPSC’s podcast Behind the Meter, which features an eye-opening discussion with national utility fraud expert and former MPSC Commissioner Monica Martinez about the evolving methods criminals use — and what every Michigander should know to help protect themselves from scammers.
There are clear red flags to watch out for. Utility companies, for example, will not:
- Request personal financial information such as your utility or bank account numbers or Social Security number.
- Use aggressive tactics to collect on a bill, shut off service or enter your home.
- Show up unannounced to collect on a bill.
- Ask for unusual forms of payment like gift cards or cryptocurrency.
For more information, check out the MPSC’s webpage on utility scams and resources including tip sheets on how to detect a utility scammer and how to protect yourself against utility fraud.
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Here is information about orders issued at the MPSC’s Aug. 7 Commission meeting:
- The MPSC approved a process for addressing requests filed under the Midcontinent Independent System Operator Inc.’s (MISO) Expedited Resource Addition Study (ERAS) tariff (Case No. U-21902), a temporary process meant to speed up the review of new electric generation projects to address resource adequacy and reliability needs in MISO’s territory in the near term. MISO is the regional transmission operator for most of Michigan along with 14 other states and the Canadian province of Manitoba. Under ERAS, new electric generation projects must be approved by utility regulators before consideration by MISO. The process approved by the Commission was designed in response to this requirement and reflects some of the unique features of Michigan’s regulatory framework.
- The Commission approved changes sought by Consumers Energy Co. to the utility’s voluntary green pricing (VGP) program tariff that allows customers to voluntarily specify a certain amount of electricity purchases to come from renewable energy resources, with costs of the program billed to participating customers (Case No. U-21937). Among the changes approved: an expanded definition of “income qualified customer” under the utility’s Green Giving Program so that the program can be extended to more customers; removal of a 12-month enrollment requirement for full-service residential customers participating in Consumers’ Renewable Energy Program; and clarification that the company’s Renewable Energy Credit Program is available to metered and unmetered customers, of particular benefit to municipal customers.
Tune in to our next regularly scheduled commission meeting on Aug. 21 at 1 p.m.
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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.
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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