Michigan Regulators Allow Electric Rate Increase

DAVID EGGERT

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — State regulators are letting Michigan's second-largest utility raise residential electric bills later this week, but not as much as Consumers Energy wanted.

The Michigan Public Service Commission estimates the average Consumers Energy household will see a $2.99 increase on its monthly bill for six months, a bump of 3.5 percent. The Jackson-based utility originally sought to add about $10 to monthly residential bills, a double-digit percentage increase.

Regulators on Tuesday ordered Consumers Energy to partially offset the residential rate increase it plans to implement Thursday with proceeds from the 2007 sale and decommissioning of a nuclear plant. ...