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. ...