November 7, 2002

The Michigan Public Service Commission today initiated a contested case proceeding to require each natural gas and electric utility company to show cause why the Commission should not reduce the companies' rates and make refunds to reflect new personal property multiplier tables.  Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association, Alpena Power Company, Aquila Networks-MGU, Cherryland Electric Cooperative, Cloverland Electric Cooperative, Consumers Energy Company, The Detroit Edison Company, Edison Sault Electric Company, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative, Indiana Michigan Power Company, Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, Midwest Energy Cooperative, Ontonagon County Rural Electrification Association, Peninsular Gas Company, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op, SEMCO Energy Gas Company, Thumb Electric Cooperative, Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Upper Peninsula Power Company, Wisconsin Electric Power Company, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, and Xcel Energy must each file responses with the Commission by December 9, 2002.

Today's order follows the Michigan State Tax Commission's adoption of new personal property multiplier tables that reduce the assessed value of personal property owned by natural gas and electric utilities.  The Michigan Tax Tribunal has upheld the use of the new tables.  The Commission concluded that it is in the public interest for each utility to show cause why it should not reduce its rates to reflect the new personal property multiplier tables and why it should not refund any amounts that it receives as refunds from local governments as it implements the new multiplier tables.

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Consumer and Industry Services.


Case No. U-13610

Read more press releases from the MPSC