August 25, 2026
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The newest episode of the Michigan Public Service Commission’s Behind the Meter podcast, released today, explores new ways in which the Commission is providing public access to utility reliability data and other important information about the impact of energy on the lives of Michiganders.
MPSC Chief Operating Officer Mike Byrne hosts a conversation with Commissioner Katherine Peretick and MPSC staff members Michele Powell and Jake Thelen, who’ve worked to get data previously spread throughout regulatory filings into easily accessible online formats.
As part of its work to expand transparency, the Commission in July launched a new interactive map application that provides public access to electric utility reliability data. The tool gives customers, advocates, researchers, businesses and others access to an easy-to-use tool for tracking and analyzing utility performance at a first-in-the-nation level of detail.
The geographic information system (GIS) application allows a ZIP Code-level view of reliability data for Michigan’s two largest electric utilities, DTE Electric Co. and Consumers Energy Co., which together serve more than 80% of Michigan customers. The MPSC is working with other utilities to add their data to expand the breadth of information available.
“Transparency is a foundation of good government,” Commissioner Peretick says in the episode. “It’s about building trust with the public and allowing everybody who’s interested to see what our system looks like, see what the utilities are doing, see what reliability looks like, see what our customer protections look like, and be able to make their own conclusions, or maybe notice something that we haven’t noticed before.”
The new application pairs with other data on the MPSC’s website, such as the MPSC’s Reports, Forms & Data webpage. Available data includes the MPSC’s GIS Hub Site, which includes utility service areas, the locations of electric generation sites including natural gas, coal, nuclear, solar, wind and hydropower, as well as routes of pipelines that transport natural gas, crude oil and refined petroleum products. The MPSC’s Quarterly Utility Report features data on utility shutoffs, customers behind on payments, customers enrolled in payment plans, winter protection plans and alternative shutoff protection plans, the number of customers receiving assistance to help with service restoration, and more.
The MPSC’s Behind the Meter podcast explores important energy and telecommunications issues, from utility rate cases and Michigan’s energy transition to efforts to expand broadband and boost electric reliability. Episodes feature guests including MPSC Commissioners, MPSC Staff, and outside experts in various fields in energy and telecommunications. Behind the Meter episodes are available on the MPSC’s website, its YouTube channel, and major podcast platforms.
The MPSC serves as an expert, impartial regulator committed to consumer protection, fairness and transparency. For information about the MPSC, visit michigan.gov/mpsc, sign up for its monthly newsletter or other listservs. Follow the MPSC on Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.
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