Electric distribution investments have become a major driver for recent rate case requests as investor-owned utilities (utilities) invest to improve the electric distribution system and evolve with growing customer demands. Such trends warrant a longer-term planning approach that extends beyond a one-year outlook offered in rate case proceedings. The Michigan Public Service Commission (Commission) has ordered several utilities to file electric distribution plans (Plans) at various times beginning in 2017.
Between June 2019 and November 2021, the Commission also held a series of workgroup sessions under the MI Power Grid initiative to consider distribution planning reporting considerations, among other topics. Detailed information from the distribution workgroup process is available on the Commission’s MI Power Grid Phase 1 - Electric Distribution Planning webpage. Additional workgroup efforts discussed Phase II - Integration of Resource/Distribution/Transmission Planning.
The key components of Plans have evolved as utilities and interested parties gain more experience. The Commission has provided guidance to improve Plan filings from utilities.
The October 11, 2017 Commission Orders in Case Nos. U-17990 and U-18014 requested discussions of short-term prioritization and long-term considerations and set four over-arching electric distribution system objectives for Plans: safety, reliability and resiliency, cost-effectiveness and affordability, and accessibility.
The November 21, 2018 Commission Order in Case No. U-20147 summarized Staff's Michigan Distribution Planning Framework report and set future guidance along with next steps for Plans.
The September 11, 2019 Commission Order in Case No. U-20147 set additional guidance and requirements for the Commission Staff, focused on the value of resilience and the desire for utilities to integrate a long-term vision in future Plans.
The August 20, 2020 Commission Order in Case No. U-20147 discussed Staff’s Electric Distribution Planning Stakeholder Process report and provided guidance for stakeholder engagement and IRP alignment.
The September 8, 2022 Commission Order in Case No. U-20147 discussed storm reliability data, distributed energy resource metrics, and summarized Staff’s Benefit Cost Analysis report and next steps.
The September 26, 2024 Commission Order in Case No. U-20147 discussed the 2023 Plans and introduced a Staff Straw Proposal in an effort to clarify and improve the distribution planning process. Under Commission directive, a Staff Collaborative Session took place on December 17, 2024.
Alpena – TBD
Consumers Energy - TBD
DTE Electric - TBD
I&M – TBD
NSP-W – TBD
UMERC – January 30, 2026 | U-21541 Order
UPPCO – January 31, 2025 | U-21286 Order
|
Company |
Filing |
Plan Period |
Date Filed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Alpena |
Alpena’s Five Year Distribution Investment and Maintenance Plan |
2024-2028 |
9/30/2024 |
|
Consumers Energy |
Consumers’ Electric Distribution Infrastructure Investment Plan |
2024-2028 |
9/27/2023 |
|
Consumers Energy |
Consumers’ Electric Distribution Infrastructure Investment Plan |
2021-2025 |
6/30/2021 |
|
Consumers Energy |
Consumers’ Electric Distribution Infrastructure Investment Plan |
2018-2022 |
4/13/2018 |
|
DTE Electric |
2023-2027 |
9/29/2023 |
|
|
DTE Electric |
2021-2025 |
9/30/2021 |
|
|
DTE Electric |
DTE's Distribution Operations Investment and Maintenance Plan |
2018-2022 |
10/5/2018 |
|
I&M |
2023-2027 |
9/29/2023 |
|
|
I&M
|
2021-2025 |
9/30/2021 |
|
|
I&M
|
2019-2023 |
4/3/2019 |
|
|
NSP-W |
2025-2029 |
9/30/2024 |
