The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today directed Consumers Energy Company to file on Oct. 16 a tariff showing the rates that it proposes to self implement between Nov. 18 and May 22, 2010, as allowed by Michigan law. 

All parties will be able to respond to the tariff filing, if they so choose, in responses to be filed no later than Oct. 23.

Today's order also schedules a hearing at the MPSC Lansing office at 9 a.m. on Oct. 27, where the utility will provide a witness to support the reasonableness of the proposed tariffs and will provide evidence regarding the effect of the statutory rate design option and reasonable alternatives thereto.

Consumers Energy on May 22 filed a natural gas rate case seeking a $114.4 million rate increase and other forms of regulatory relief.  By law, on Nov. 18, absent an order from the MPSC that either prevents or delays self-implementation, Consumers Energy may self-implement up to the amount of its proposed rate increase.

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

Case No. U-15986