LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Two utility companies that recently requested electric rate increases in Michigan might not get what they're looking for, as state Attorney General Bill Schuette has asked the Michigan Public Service Commission to deny the rate hikes.
The two utility companies, Northern States Power Company and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, both service more than 9,000 customers in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. Schuette wants to hold prices steady for Michigan consumers.
"Michigan families have enough rising costs to worry about this winter without being concerned about their electric company increasing their rates by up to 28 percent," Schuette said. "I am intervening to ask the MPSC to closely examine these requests."
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation wants to increase its rates by $5,651,277, which would add another $25.18 per month to customers' bills. Northern State Power is seeking to raise rates by $899,058 in 2015 and $288,668 in 2016, which would add another $5.70 per month to customers' bill.
Schuette also recently challenged a merger request by two other Upper Peninsula utility companies that would increase costs to consumers.
"In addition to the costs that may be imposed on U.P. electricity users by (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission), it is unconscionable for these two companies to seek approval to impose even more costs on these ratepayers," Schuette said.
