The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today granted a request by Consumers Energy Company to lower its energy optimization surcharge for certain commercial customers.

"It quickly became evident that there was an unintended consequence of the energy optimization surcharge for certain Consumers Energy primary customers," noted MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu.  "While the surcharge met the letter of the law, it did not meet the spirit of the law.  The Commission is pleased to act quickly to remedy this situation by approving Consumers Energy's request to lower the surcharge for these customers."

The utility on June 22 filed a petition for rehearing of the MPSC's May 26 order because of the unintended consequences caused to certain customers.  It noted that the surcharge affected certain primary customers disproportionately and proposed to increase the number of primary customer categories from two to five to adjust the per meter charge to reflect lower usage.  There is no effect on residential customers.

Today's order gives the company until July 10 to submit a letter from its chief executive officer confirming its agreement to charge the modified rates for all bills rendered under the plan.  It has 30 days to file with the Commission tariff sheets that reflect the approvals in today's order.

The utility may voluntarily mitigate the hardship experienced by the affected customers or it may join with the parties in this case to address the potential for refunds or credits to them.

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

Case No. U-15805, U-15889