State of Michigan Should Reject 11% Rate Hike Proposal From Power Companies: Companies Shouldn't Be Raising Rates as Economy Flatlines

Power companies Consumers Energy and Detroit Edison want to hike the rates of Michigan customers by 11% in order to pay for upgrades to the electrical system to bring them into compliance for federal emissions standards.

The rate hike request has been sent to Lansing for consideration.

Michigan's legislative committee that approves or rejects such proposals should reject these rate hikes and the power companies should delay the projects.

Michigan has sufficient electrical power to handle the current needs of the state. While the upgrades are important, they don't have to be made all at once; it can be done a little at a time while minimizing the impact to families that are already having trouble paying for their winter heating bills.

As the economy improves, they can do more and ask for more money, but not when the economy is still in a nosedive and more people lose their jobs.