Latest news with #MichiganPublicServiceCommission
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump administration orders Consumers Energy to keep Michigan coal-fired power plant open
The Trump administration has ordered Consumers Energy to continue operating a coal-fired power plant in west Michigan that was slated for shutdown May 31, citing the potential for an energy emergency due to heightened summer demand. But the chairman of the Michigan Public Service Commission says no energy emergency exists and the move will increase customer costs. U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright announced the emergency order May 23, calling for Consumers Energy's J.H. Campbell plant in Ottawa County's West Olive to remain open beyond its slated closure May 31. The Campbell plant is the last coal-fired power plant operated by Consumers and one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters in the state. "(The) emergency order ensures that Michiganders and the greater Midwest region do not lose critical power generation capability as summer begins and electricity demand regularly reach high levels," he said. "This administration will not sit back and allow dangerous energy subtraction policies (to) threaten the resiliency of our grid and raise electric prices on American families." But Michigan Public Service Commission chairman Dan Scripps said there is no existing energy emergency either in Michigan or with MISO, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, the regional energy transmission organization that includes Michigan, 14 other U.S. states and the Canadian province of Manitoba. "We currently produce more energy in Michigan than needed," Scripps said. "The unnecessary recent order from the U.S. Department of Energy will increase the cost of power for homes and businesses across the Midwest." More: DNR halts state land leases for utility-scale solar projects More: Trump emergency order will expedite permitting process for Enbridge Line 5 tunnel The J.H. Campbell Complex began operating in 1962 and generates up to 1,450 megawatts of electricity — enough to serve a million people. The 2,000-acre facility was named after James H. Campbell, a former president of Consumers Energy from 1960 to 1972. The utility in recent years announced plans to provide coal-free power generation and reduce its carbon emissions by 90% by 2025, 15 years faster than earlier projections. By 2040 Consumers Energy officials expected 90% of their electric generation to come from cleaner energy sources. Consumers Energy officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Trump administration cited its emergency authority under the Federal Power Act, which allows the secretary of energy to require temporary connections of facilities and generation, delivery, interchange or transmission of energy as the secretary determines will best meet an emergency and serve the public interest during a time that the U.S. is engaged in a war "or when an emergency exists by reason of a sudden increase in the demand for electric energy, or a shortage of electric energy, or of facilities for the generation or transmission of electric energy" or other causes. Greg Wannier, senior attorney for the nonprofit environmental group Sierra Club, said in a statement that the emergency order "is an illegal abuse" of Trump's presidential authority. 'If Trump's made-up energy emergency had an ounce of truth to it, he wouldn't be banning wind energy and canceling renewable energy projects," Wannier said. "This so-called energy emergency is a sham and we will not stand by and let this administration prop up a dying industry so Trump's fossil fuel buddies can make more money at the expense of Americans." Contact Keith Matheny: kmatheny@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump orders Consumers Energy to keep coal-fired plant open
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New DTE Energy rate hike proposal would seek $574 million from customers
The Brief DTE is proposing a new rate hike, this time totaling $574M which would impact the typical customer by 11% every month. Dennis Black is an activist with the group the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, fighting against the proposal. DTE says the increase is going to its infrastructure, adding a 70% improvement of reliability took place from 2023 to 2024. DETROIT (FOX 2) - DTE Energy has filed paperwork with state regulators for a rate increase. The utility company says the increase is needed to help it continue making progress which includes improving grid reliability. Dig deeper The rate increase is $574 million which will impact residential DTE Energy customers' rates with an 11 percent hike.1 One of the grassroots groups opposing the request for a rate hike, is the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition. DTE filed the rate increase with the Michigan Public Service Commission last week. The commission will then vote to approve the measure or, as it has in a few cases, agree to a portion of the price hike. Metro Detroit activist Dennis Black says he knows what it's like to struggle to pay electric bills. "Being directly impacted myself with high bills facing shutoffs myself in the winter time," he said. Black said the increase will impact the most vulnerable DTE customers the hardest. "It's a very significant amount of Detroiters on a fixed income and this rate hike is an undo financial burden," he said. "If this rate hike increases, our most vulnerable communities on fixed income can still see their power go out." But DTE says progress is being made improving it's infrastructure. A statement released to FOX 2 reads in part: "Thanks to a combination of factors including strategic work and investment in the electric grid last year, our customers experienced a nearly 70% improvement in time spent without power in 2024 compared to 2023." Black says the progress has not been felt by everyone. "My power was out last week," he said. "It was a blue sky day." And activists say it's time for Michiganders to speak out about the negative impact of a rate hike on their bottom line. "Contact their legislators, contact the Michigan Public Service Commission. They're the regulatory body for this publicly owned utility." FOX 2 reached out to the MPSC and was told by public info officer Matt Helms: "Under state law, the commission has 10 months to issue an order from the date the utility filed its application. DTE filed its application on April 24, 2025. MPSC cannot make a comment during the review process." Black says he hopes the commission will act on behalf of the people and not DTE. "They can say they are making improvements, but there's plenty of people that would share my sentiment that will say that our power is not reliable." To contact the Michigan Public Service Commission, go HERE. To learn more about the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalision, go HERE. The Source Information for this report came from DTE, the Michigan Public Service Commission and activist Dennis Black with the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition.
Epoch Times
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
GOP Lawmakers Advance Bills to Restore Local Zoning Control Over Green Energy Projects
Michigan state House Republicans have put forward a pair of bills designed to return zoning and land use decisions about proposed green energy projects to local communities. HB None of the seven Democrats on the committee responded to requests for comment by publication time. In 2023, shortly after the Democrats took control of both chambers of the state Legislature in the 2022 midterms, they approved legislation that transferred most of the approval process for all proposed large-scale windmill and solar farms to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), a three-member panel appointed by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat. The zoning change was part of the Clean Energy and Jobs Act, which Republicans regained the majority in the House in the November 2024 election and immediately sought to reverse the zoning provision. Related Stories 11/27/2024 9/16/2024 House Speaker Pro Tem Rachelle Smit (R-Martin) in an April 22 Whitmer did not respond to a request for comment by publication time. Rep. Greg Alexander (R-Carsonville), the main sponsor of the bills, said in an April 22 'Local governments and residents know their areas better than the state. … When unelected state bureaucrats come in, cast local input aside, and impose projects on communities, it's a textbook example of government overreach,' Alexander said. According to Alexander, currently, green energy project applications can bypass local zoning ordinances and be taken directly to the MPSC for a certificate of approval to begin construction. The Energy Committee On record opposing the bills were the Michigan Public Service Commission, the Sierra Club and other environmental groups, several labor unions, the Solar Energy Industries Association and other green energy companies, and the League of Women Voters. Michigan State Rep. Greg Alexander, R-Carsonville. Courtesy of Michigan House Republicans About 17,000 acres of rural Michigan are occupied by wind and solar energy operations. Three counties in Alexander's district in eastern Michigan's Thumb Area—Huron, Tuscola, and Sanilac—contain nearly 60 percent of the wind turbines in the state. With more wind and solar projects in the pipeline, Alexander said he was worried 'they will change the entire landscape of the region' and 'impact property values, small business viability, available farmland, and many other elements of a community.' 'The community should be able to make that decision for itself,' he said. Thumb area resident and Worth Township Supervisor Walt Badgerow, a Republican, told The Epoch Times that the 2023 policy change was 'an egregious violation of civil rights and a blatant evasion of accountability.' 'We the people can vote out our local officials if they are not representing the community's best interest. We can't do anything to hold the Michigan Public Service Commission accountable.' Badgerow, who is also a member of the Sanilac County Board of Health, cited the possible leaching over time of toxic chemicals from solar panels as a legitimate local concern that could be aired more easily at the town hall than at the MPSC offices in Lansing. 'I absolutely support the bills, but I'm not sure they will clear the Democrat-controlled Senate or be signed by the governor if they did pass,' Badgerow said.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ottawa County won't take legal action to stop coal plant closure
OLIVE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — In a split vote among its two factions, Ottawa County commissioners decided not to take legal action to try to prevent Consumers Energy's last coal-fired power plant from closing. The vote Tuesday was 7-4, failing the motion to pursue legal resolution did not specify who would be the target of any possible litigation. Commissioner Allison Miedema, who proposed the resolution, said that was intentionally left broad so legal counsel wouldn't be limited in their options. Consumers Energy is in Port Sheldon Township on May 31 and eventually demolish it as part of a transition to renewable energy. The plant will close years earlier than originally planned. Earlier this year, the Ottawa County board asked the Michigan Public Service Commission to reconsider its after from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation suggested the power grid around the Midwest is at high risk for blackouts because new energy sources aren't keeping pace with generator shutdowns. Undeterred, Consumers said things will be fine because a new natural gas plant in Covert Township and two facilities will meet the need. During public comment Tuesday, some people urged the board to go forward with legal action. 'Before putting our grid system at risk of not being able to meet demands, I urge the board to do everything in its power' to prevent the closure, one person said. Ottawa County considers legal action to prevent coal plant closure While several commissioners still have concerns about closing the plant years earlier than planned, in the end, not enough of them favored going to the courts to try to keep it open. 'How can we prudently say we're going to give a blank check to our litigators and move ahead without a full analysis of this case?' Board Chair John Teeples said. 'I think it's imprudent. I think it's impulsive.' 'I was a little surprised, though there might be a couple more people who would like to take the next step to exercise our constitutional authority,' Commissioner Joe Moss said. 'There is a strong sense among board members to actually delay the closure and retake a fresh look at the information.' Before the vote, Moss had asked Teeples whether he would support litigation if the cost of any legal work was be capped at $20,000 or $40,000, for example. 'There's no sense wasting any more taxpayer dollars on this,' Teeples said. 'I'd say no. I think the county's done enough.' Moss countered that it could be worth it. 'I would much rather spend a small amount of money now than not be able to in a month and a half,' Moss said. Canadian company tapped to handle coal ash left by Campbell power plant Commissioners say the Trump administration is looking into this and could get involved. 'I think we're going to have much more satisfactory movement there than entering into an expensive additional litigation,' Commissioner Jacob Bonnema said. Moss said he hoped litigation could spur action by the Trump administration. Still, he remained unsure what authority or impact the federal government could have on the project and if it would be able to act fast enough, especially with the clock ticking. 'We have a very short timeline until the early closure occurs,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
22-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Michigan power company seeks "ice storm" exemption over customer credits required for extended outages
A Northern Michigan utility company has asked to be waived from a state law that requires billing credits for customers who are left without electricity for an extended period. The letter, which Alpena Power Company filed April 17 with the Michigan Public Service Commission, claims the March 28-30 ice storm in Northern Michigan was an "act of God." Michigan's power outage credit rule takes effect anywhere from 16 to 96 hours after a power outage, with eligibility depending on the reason for the outage. Eligible customers can then receive $40 a day, which is meant to help cover their out-of-pocket expenses and serve as an "accountability metric," according to the Michigan Public Service Commission. In the case of the ice storm, the 96-hour rule applies. Some people in Northern Michigan were without power for two weeks. Credits are automatically applied to a future bill, but the billing credits will not be available for everyone in the ice storm region. The state credit law does not apply to electric cooperatives or municipal electric utilities such as Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op, the Michigan Pubic Service Commission explained. Investor-owned companies such as Alpena Power are required to pay it. Apena Power supplies electricity to about 16,700 customers in parts of Alpena, Presque Isle, Alcona and Montmorency counties in northern Michigan. All four counties are included in a State of Michigan emergency declaration issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. In its letter, Alpena Power states its "entire service territory experienced impactful weather conditions that resulted in extreme and severe ice accumulation, high winds, downed trees and tree damage, impassable roads, downed and damaged power poles, lines, and related equipment, and damaged transformers." The state law, the company argues, includes an "act of God" exemption defined as "an event due to extraordinary natural causes so exceptionally unanticipated and devoid of human agency that reasonable care would not avoid the consequences." Alpena Power seeks a hearing with the commission to address the matter. The State of Michigan has already issued a state disaster declaration and has compiled announcements and resources on the 2025 Northern Michigan ice storm page . A bill has been introduced in the Michigan House to exempt schools in the ice storm region from makeup days that would otherwise be required this school year. A request has been made for a presidential emergency declaration for the affected counties. Steps are in the works to prepare a formal application for a major disaster declaration from federal officials. U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens has introduced federal legislation under the title "Prolonged Power Outage Relief Act," seeking a path to low-interest loans for residents or businesses dealing with extended power outages. Michigan Storm Chasers organized a donation drive and delivery convoy for food and household supplies.
