MI HB5913

Gas or electric utilities must obtain Public Service Commission approval before increasing rates or altering rate schedules that increase customer costs, with notice and opportunity for public hearing required.

Commission must notify utilities within 30 days whether rate applications are complete; if no order is issued within 180 days of a complete application, utilities may implement proposed rate increases subject to customer refunds with interest if final approved rates are lower.

Commission shall adopt standard rate application filing forms and instructions for general rate cases; commission may continue allowing cooperative electric utilities to file based on times interest earned ratio.

Gas utilities are prohibited from including expenses for lost and unaccounted-for natural gas in rate increase applications, and the commission shall not allow recovery of such expenses.

Automatic adjustment clauses that operate without notice and full hearing opportunity are abolished; merchants plants burning wood or waste may petition to recover excess fuel and variable operation costs up to $1,000,000 per month per utility, with defined exceptions.