Published July 26, 2004
Exercising electric choice

By Susan Stock
Lansing State Journal

Like many small- business owners, Tony Burkholder is faced with the rising costs of supplies and double-digit increases in health-care costs for his 18 employees.

But one monthly bill is dropping - his electricity bill.

He estimates it's plunged 30 percent in the last year, down from $1,000 a month to $700 or $800.

"We've always paid top dollar for electricity," said Burkholder, owner of Blue Pencil Creative Group, a design, publishing and advertising firm in Holt.

"We're saving conservatively 30 percent. I actually believe it may be more than that."

Burkholder achieved this by switching electricity suppliers - something made possible by a 2000 regulatory change allowing alternative suppliers to compete with giants such as Consumers Energy.

 

There are 18 alternative suppliers active in Michigan. Since 2000, 18,500 customers have chosen one of them.

"Overall, it's been a big success for businesses in our state," said Bob Nelson, commissioner for the state Public Service Commission, which regulates such utilities.

But a six-bill package introduced in the state Senate earlier this month may change the rules on deregulation. Supporters say the new legislation will level the playing field for all suppliers, while critics maintain it will wipe out the competition.

Friday in Mt. Pleasant, in his first public statement on the new legislation PSC Chairman J. Peter Lark outlined three concerns: the bills would eliminate assistance for low-income residents and senior citizens; the bills would make it more difficult for consumers to switch back if they want; and the bills would eliminate the PSC's watchdog role.

"This is of particular concern to the Commission since one of our obligations is to ensure that customers receive reliable energy at the lowest possible rates," he stated.

However, Consumers Energy President and Chief Operating Officer Dave Joos said the current setup is unfair to his company, which has 1.7 million electric customers in Michigan.

His two main complaints:

Large PSC-regulated utilities are required to have a 15 percent reserve of energy, which costs money and puts such companies at a competitive disadvantage.

 

 

The process

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