Regulators OK Surcharges On Michigan Energy Bills

DAVID EGGERT

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan regulators on Tuesday approved adding fees to energy bills so utilities can meet new renewable power and energy-efficiency requirements.

Starting Sept. 1, residential electric customers of Consumers Energy Co., the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, will pay $2.50 a month for a renewable energy program. And beginning June 1, the utility's power customers will pay 71 cents per month for a program designed to reduce electricity usage.

Consumers Energy, the state's second-biggest utility, will charge residential natural gas customers $1.72 a month for the energy-efficiency program. The Michigan Public Service Commission is expected to approve similar surcharges for DTE Energy Co., the state's largest utility, no later than June 2.

The surcharges are allowed under a 2008 state law enacted by Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the Legislature. Backers have said the fees will be offset if customers take advantage of appliance rebates, home energy audits and opportunities such as using more energy-efficiency light bulbs.

The following utilities also won approval of surcharges Tuesday:

—SEMCO Energy Inc. will charge residential natural gas customers $1.52 a month for energy efficiency starting July 1.