May 8, 2009
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has issued a consumer alert on credits that electric customers may be eligible for after experiencing lengthy or frequent electric outages.
"Customers may be eligible for a credit on their electric bills if they experience lengthy or frequent service outages," noted MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu. "Under certain conditions, residential customers could receive a $25 credit. Commercial and other customers also have credits available to them, based on their minimum bill. In all cases, customers should contact their electric utility to request the credit."
The MPSC's service quality and reliability standards include rules providing for outage service credits. Under these rules, there are three types of outage conditions that may qualify for a credit: catastrophic condition outages, normal condition outages, and frequent outages.
Details on the rules are available in the consumer alert, available on the MPSC's Web site: michigan.gov/mpscalerts(click on electric).
The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.