First of two hearings is Thursday on Consumers Energy's long-range plans for providing electricity service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 28, 2021

Media Contact: Matt Helms 517-284-8300
Customer Assistance: 800-292-9555
Michigan.gov/MPSC
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The Michigan Public Service Commission issued a reminder that the first of two public hearings is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 30, for Commissioners to hear public input on Consumers Energy Co.'s integrated resource plan, or IRP, outlining the utility's plans for delivering electricity to its residential and business customers in Michigan.

Chair Dan Scripps and Commissioners Tremaine Phillips and Katherine Peretick will be on hand to hear directly from Consumers' customers, and MPSC staff will offer a presentation providing details on the utility's proposed IRP. The hearing's purpose is for the Commission to take public comment on Consumers' long-range forecasts for ensuring reliable service over the next 20 years, with specific requirements for reporting 5-, 10- and 15-year projections. IRPs were established under Michigan's 2016 energy laws and are required for each electric utility whose rates are regulated by the MPSC.

The hearing on Thursday will be 4-7 p.m. at Saginaw Valley State University's Ott Auditorium in Gilbertson Hall, 7400 Bay Road in Saginaw.

For those unable to attend, a second hearing by videoconference and phone will be held Monday, Oct. 4, 6-8 p.m. Participation by videoconference is available through this Microsoft Teams hearing link. Those wishing to participate by phone may call 248-509-0316 and enter the conference ID 634 972 57# when prompted.

Consumers provides electric service to about 1.8 million customers in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Consumers Energy's IRP was filed in June in Case No. U- 21090 and remains pending before the Commission.

Comments by attendees will become part of the public record, and a transcript of the hearing will be filed in the case docket. Comments also may be mailed to Executive Secretary, Michigan Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 30221, Lansing, MI 48909, or emailed to [email protected]. Please include the case number (U-21090) in correspondence.

People who have mobility, visual, hearing, or other disabilities should contact the MPSC's Executive Secretary at 517-284-8090 in advance of the forum to request assistance.

To combat the spread of COVID-19, as of today, Saginaw Valley State requires anyone inside enclosed spaces in campus buildings with more than five people present to wear face masks, regardless of vaccination status. All attendees of the in-person hearing on Thursday must wear a face mask. The MPSC will provide a limited number of masks for those who do not bring their own. Those unable to comply with the mask requirement are encouraged to participate in the virtual public hearing on Oct. 4 or to submit comments in writing.

Background information about integrated resource planning is available in an MPSC issue brief. More detailed information about the Consumers Energy IRP hearings is available in the MPSC's public notice.

For information about the MPSC, visit www.Michigan.gov/MPSC, sign up for its monthly newsletter or other listservs, or follow the Commission on Twitter or LinkedIn.

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