Consumers Energy Asks For $240M Hike On MI Gas Customers, Nessel Intervenes

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is getting involved in Consumers Energy's latest request for a gas hike, her office said Wednesday.

Consumers Energy is seeking a $240 million increase in its gas rates, which would mean a 10 percent increase for its gas customers and an 8 percent hike for residential customers, Nessel said.

The utility said the price increase is needed for continued infrastructure upgrades.

"These continued investments in natural gas infrastructure reflect the Company’s commitment to identify and replace at-risk natural gas distribution pipe across the state and respond to customer-initiated requests," Consumers Energy said in its filing.

Nessel said her office will carefully look over the filing to ensure it does not include any unnecessary costs.

"Consumers Energy has consistently filed these rate hike requests filled with unjustifiable costs, and my office has consistently intervened to ensure any unfair or indefensible costs are not foisted onto its customers," Nessel said. "This happens over and over again and amounts to millions of dollars."

This latest Consumers Energy request comes three months after the Michigan Public Service Commission approved the utility's $157 million natural gas rate hike.

This is also the fourth straight year that Consumers Energy has asked for an increase.

Consumers Energy sells gas to 1.8 million Michigan households, including in southeastern Michigan.