The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) yesterday released its annual report on electric competition in Michigan, showing an increase of 46 percent in the number of choice customers from the previous year.  The year 2009 marked the eighth full year of electric customer choice in Michigan.

"The number of electric choice customers increased significantly in 2009 - especially in light of the gradual decline in recent years," noted MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu.  "This indicates a renewed interest in electric choice by customers."

Highlights from the report include:

·         Public Act 286 of 2008 limited electric choice to 10 percent of an electric utility's average weather-adjusted retail sales for the preceding year.  Both Detroit Edison and Consumers Energy service territories are fully subscribed at the cap.

·         At the end of 2009, there were 5,424 commercial and industrial customers participating in the Detroit Edison and Consumers Energy electric choice programs, up from 3,717 in 2008.  This represented 1,558 megawatts (MW) of the total energy usage in those territories, up from 770 MW in 2008.

·         There were 24 licensed alternative electric suppliers (AESs) in Michigan at the end of 2009.  This reflects the addition of one new AES license (Glacial Energy of Illinois) and the voluntary relinquishment of three licenses.

·         Electric choice load served in the Consumers Energy service territory at the end of 2009 totaled 793 MW, about 139 percent more than the 332 MW served in 2008.  The number of choice customers in Consumers Energy service territory saw an increase of 66 percent from the previous year.

·         Electric choice load served in the Detroit Edison service territory at the end of 2009 totaled over 765 MW, compared to 438 MW in 2008.  The number of choice customers in Detroit Edison service territory saw an increase of 41 percent from the previous year.

·         The MPSC in Case No. U-15801 approved procedures regarding the administration and allocation of electric load allowed to be served by an AES, pursuant to Act 286 of 2008.  The order makes it clear that electric choice customers served by an AES would not be automatically returned to utility service in the event the 10 percent cap was exceeded due to a reduction in utility sales during the year.

The entire report is available on the MPSC's Web site.

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.