January 29, 2008

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today approved revised rules governing billing practices for electric and natural gas business customers, and technical standards for electric utility customers.  The new rules help small businesses by lowering the deposits required of small business customers and putting in place an informal complaint resolution process.

"The MPSC recognized that Michigan's small businesses sometimes faced cumbersome requirements when it came to establishing and continuing utility service in Michigan," said MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu.  "The new rules approved today help remove barriers faced by small businesses by lowering deposits required by utilities, and they put in place a process to assist businesses in resolving their utility complaints.  As a result, small businesses will face fewer obstacles and will get additional help with solving utility service problems."

The new rules approved today help small business utility customers by lowering the required utility deposits in cases where electric usage is 15,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) or less per year or whose natural gas usage is 200 thousand cubic feet (Mcf) or less per year.  In those cases, the deposit is lowered to not more than 15 percent of the customer's annual electric or gas bill.  The previous deposit required was not more than 25 percent and will remain in effect for larger commercial customers.

The approved rules now go to the Legislative Service Bureau, the State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules for their formal approvals. Following those formal approvals, the rules will be transmitted to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.

The MPSC formally adopted revised rules governing Consumer Standards and Billing Practices for electric and natural gas residential customers in 2007.

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Labor & Economic Growth

Case Nos.  U-14852 and U-14853