April 10, 2025
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The Michigan Public Service Commission today approved DTE Electric Co.’s application for approval of its workplan for expedited review of pilot programs aimed at promoting innovation in energy delivery (Case No. U-21653).
The Commission’s approval allows DTE Electric to file applications for individual pilot programs the company is considering in five focus areas: grid reliability and resiliency; distributed energy resource (DER) integration; decarbonization; beneficial electrification; and equity, access and affordability. The workplan also includes a mechanism for third-party organizations to submit pilot proposals and incorporates changes and feedback provided by interested parties.
As part of its MI Power Grid effort to maximize the benefits of Michigan’s transition to clean, distributed sources of electricity, the Commission in 2020 launched a New Technologies and Business Models workgroup to address the commercialization of new technologies and business models to prepare for rowth in adoption of electric vehicles, electric storage, and other technologies under development.
In 2023, the Commission adopted a voluntary expedited review process for utility pilot programs aimed at exploring how new technologies and business models might apply to Michigan, allowing for testing and refinement of new models, and providing support for the rapid transformation of the energy system required to meet state energy needs.
Expedited review will help DTE Electric, and other utilities, find topics for pilots with broad support from interested persons and the utilities, reducing the amount of time needed for Commission review.
The Commission’s order today found that the workplan details the engagement process for interested organizations and members of the public and includes reasonable metrics for measuring the impact of pilots. The Commission noted that, while the workplan doesn’t yet identify specific pilot programs, it provides a roadmap for future pilots focused on work leading to innovative programs and solutions.
COMMISSION OKS CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. POWER SUPPLY COST RECOVERY RECONCILIATION
The Commission approved Consumers Energy Co.’s application for approval of the reconciliation of its power supply cost recovery (PSCR) expenses and revenues for the 2022 calendar year (Case No. U-21049), as modified. The Commission approved a PSCR underrecovery balance of $415,514,140, including interest, as the utility’s 2023 PSCR reconciliation beginning balance. The Michigan Department of Attorney General; Residential Customer Group; Association of Businesses Advocating Tariff Equity; and biomass merchant plants Cadillac Renewable Energy LLC, Genesee Power Station LP, Grayling Generating Station LP, Hillman Power Co. LLC, TES Filer City Station LP, National Energy of Lincoln LLC, and National Energy of McBain LLC intervened in the case. MPSC Staff also participated. Today’s order also approved requests from the biomass merchant plants for $16,369,443 in capped costs and $10,249,098 in uncapped costs.
COMMISSION ADDRESSES PETITIONS FOR REHEARING FILED IN DTE ELECTRIC CO. RATE CASE
The MPSC partially granted and partially denied petitions for rehearing filed by intervenors in DTE Electric Co.’s recent rate case in which the Commission authorized the utility to increase revenues by $217.38 million (Case No. U-21534) and denied a petition for rehearing filed by the utility. Petitions for rehearing were filed by DTE Electric, Michigan Municipal Association for Utility Issues, Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council, Institute for Energy Innovation, and Advanced Energy United.
For information about the MPSC, visit www.michigan.gov/mpsc, sign up for its monthly newsletter or other listservs. Follow the MPSC on Facebook, X/Twitter or LinkedIn.
To look up cases from today’s meeting, access the MPSC’s E-Dockets filing system.
Watch recordings of the MPSC’s meetings on the MPSC’s YouTube channel.
DISCLAIMER: This document was prepared to aid the public’s understanding of certain matters before the Commission and is not intended to modify, supplement, or be a substitute for the Commission’s orders. The Commission’s orders are the official action of the Commission.
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