Nessel files testimony with MPSC seeking to cut Consumers Energy rate hike by more than half

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed testimony urging state regulators to cut Consumers Energy's proposed $456 million annual rate increase by more than half, which would otherwise raise residential electric bills 9.8%. Nessel's office argues the company habitually inflates requests, and noted the Public Service Commission has approved nearly $800 million in hikes for Consumers since 2020.

This is the second rate request in roughly seven days of each other by the clock of state approval: the commission signed off on an 8.9% increase in March, and Consumers filed this new request just days later. Nessel also wants the company's allowed profit margin on capital investments capped at 9.20% instead of the requested 10.25%, which she says would be the highest return on equity in the state.

Consumers Energy's spokesperson countered that the plan is about reliability and keeping Michigan bills below neighboring states, without disputing the dollar figures Nessel cited.

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