February 20, 2009

    LANSING - Attorney General Mike Cox today announced that his office is intervening in four utility rate increase cases currently in front of the Michigan Public Service Commission.  The four cases represent a combined $658 million in rate increases, affecting an estimated four million Michigan customers.

    "With Michigan's families and small businesses struggling to keep afloat, any rate increase must be closely scrutinized," said Cox. "I will continue to fight for lower rates and a fair playing field for all Michigan families and businesses."

    Cox is intervening in two cases involving Detroit Edison, one case involving Consumers Energy, and a single case involving Michigan Consolidated Gas Company.

    The background for the four cases is as follows:

·         The first Detroit Edison case involves a $378 million per year general rate increase to its electricity customers.

·         The second Detroit Edison case involves $172 million in renewable energy and energy conservation surcharges to its electricity customers.

·         The Consumers Energy case is a combined case involving $52.3 million for its electricity customers and $16 million for its natural gas customers in renewable energy and energy conservation surcharges.

·         The Michigan Consolidated Gas Company case involves approximately $40 million in rate increases to its natural gas customers in renewable energy and energy conservation surcharges.

    Attorney General Mike Cox has been a strong advocate for Michigan ratepayers, and since taking office has prevented more than $2 billion in potential rate increases.

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