Michigan - Executive Summary

Click Here To Return to the REQ Home Page

Retail Awareness

Wholesale Electric | Retail Electric

Wholesale Gas | Retail Gas

Search | What's Hot? | Press Release | Home

Michigan
JURISDICTION

Executive Summary »

EDI/NAESB by Utility

Correspondence

« Main Map

Top of Page

Updated: 10/01/05

Source: EC Power

MI Electric Choice
Michigan's electric utility industry is being restructured so that the generation and supply of power is now opening to competitive suppliers. The electric transmission and distribution businesses will remain under a regulated monopoly utility structure. The Michigan state legislature passed Public Acts 141 and 142 of 2000, the Customer Choice and Electricity Reliability Act, and the new laws were signed by Michigan Governor John Engler on June 3, 2000. They are now indexed as Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL), Chapter 460, Section 10a through 10bb (MCL 460.10; See the index for Act 3 of 1939).

This new law provides "that all retail customers in this state of electric power have a choice of electric suppliers." It directs the Michigan Public Service Commission to "issue orders establishing the rates, terms, and conditions of service that allow all retail customers of an electric utility or provider to choose an alternative electric supplier."

Since the new law took effect in June 2000, the MPSC has issued many orders to implement its various provisions. Open access was provided to all customers of Michigan investor owned utilities, beginning January 1, 2002. Customers of Michigan's member-owned cooperative electric distribution companies that have a maximum demand of 1 megawatt or more are also eligible to participate now, and all co-op customers will have choice by not later than January 1, 2005 (see MCL 460.10x).

The rules are different for municipal electric utilities that are not regulated by the MPSC (see MCL 460.10y). Generally speaking, it is up to each municipal utility's local governing board to make decisions about electric choice for their customers.

Natural Gas Customer Choice
Natural Gas Customer Choice permits you to shop for gas for your home or business from a diverse market of gas suppliers. You can select a gas supplier or do nothing and continue to get your gas from your local gas utility under existing regulated rates.

Consumers Energy's program started last year and MichCon's began April 1, 2002. Aquila's program started June 1, 2002. Suppliers of natural gas may contact you to sign you up in any of these utilities' service territories. SEMCO's progam started October 1, 2002. The permanent choice programs follow recent forums in MPSC case number U-12550, Choice Next Step.

You can select the gas supplier of your choice or do nothing and continue to get your gas supplied by your local gas utility under regulated rates. The rates of other suppliers are not regulated. Your natural gas will continue to be delivered by your local gas utility regardless of which gas supplier you choose. If you smell gas or have other safety related concerns about your gas service, you should contact your local gas utility, just as you have done in the past.

If you should encounter any problems or need further information, please call (713) 356-0060.
About NAESB | Contact NAESB | Email: naesb@naesb.org | Home Page