Natural Gas Curtailment Procedures Workgroup

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In an order dated September 11, 2019, the Michigan Public Service Commission opened docket U-20632 and directed the Staff to establish a collaborative group consisting of Staff experts, representatives from Consumers Energy Company, DTE Energy Company, Michigan Electric and Gas Association member utilities, and other interested stakeholders. The Natural Gas Utility Curtailment Procedures Workgroup is collaboratively working to review and discuss whether natural gas curtailment procedures should be updated to prioritize natural gas use for residential heating over natural gas use for electric generation when appropriate during energy emergencies. A report to the docket with the workgroup findings is due by June 30, 2020.

Vision

During an emergency event, natural gas supply is prioritized to ensure safe and warm homes.

Mission

To coordinate and optimize the review of current curtailment procedures and tariffs, discuss the development of updated natural gas supply prioritizations, and how best to prioritize natural gas use for residential heating over electric generation, when appropriate, during energy emergencies.

The focus of this collaborative group shall be to:

Review and study the existing curtailment tariffs;
Determine if the current prioritization framework remains adequate; and
Develop recommendations for the Commission regarding possible updates to the tariffs.