Michigan PSC extends deadline for Consumers plan to meet customer electricity demand
Consumers Energy Co. is being given more time on a proposed settlement regarding their latest integrated resource plan, following a push for extension by both the company and Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) staff.
A settlement was originally supposed to be reached on June 10. Consumers submitted well within the timeframe, on March 23, but after objections from The Solar Energy Industries Association, Inc. and Cypress Creek Renewables, LLC, Consumers and MPSC staff pushed for an extension a mere few days later. The decision grants them more time before the MPSC has to rule on a settlement.
The current proposal from Consumers would include investments in demand response and energy waste reduction; the retirement of two coal-fired generation units near Bay City, Michigan; a financial compensation mechanism for new power purchase agreements; competitive bidding for future capacity needs; new avoided cost methods; and a new status quo in which half of new capacity will be governed by power purchase agreements, while the other half will be owned by Consumers itself. The company would have to file its next integrated resource plan in two years.
All testimony both on the agreement will need to be in by April 19, followed by rebuttals on April 25. An evidentiary hearing has been set for May 1, which will be followed by a series of briefs due May 8 and replies on May 15.
