Energy (Utility Regulation)

in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 768: Energy: other; utility filing a rate case earlier than 3 years after the utility’s last rate case: prohibit. Amends sec. 6a of 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.6a).

SB 768 prohibits gas, electric, and steam utilities from filing a new rate case (requesting rate increases) sooner than three years after their previous rate case. This amendment to Michigan's Public Utilities Act (MCL 460.6a) directly affects all utilities regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission when seeking rate adjustments. The key mechanism adds a mandatory three-year waiting period between full rate case filings, preventing utilities from repeatedly seeking rate changes too frequently. It does not change existing processes for partial rate relief or other rate adjustments. The bill aims to stabilize utility rate-setting timelines without altering current hearing requirements or refund procedures.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPrevents frequent utility rate hikes, protecting consumers from cost volatility in energy services per MCL 460.6a amendment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 732: Energy: alternative sources; distributed generation, storage, and aggregation; create program for in rate cases. Amends 2008 PA 295 (MCL 460.1001 - 460.1232) by adding secs. 243, 244, 245 & 246. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0731'25

SB 732 creates a new program allowing Michigan customers with rooftop solar, batteries, or other on-site energy systems (called "behind-the-meter generators") to earn payments for providing grid services like reducing peak demand or improving reliability during outages. It requires the Michigan Public Service Commission to develop rules within a year, ensuring fair compensation based on actual grid value - covering costs like reduced infrastructure needs and enhanced resilience - while prohibiting utilities from owning these systems. The program directly affects residential and commercial customers with eligible energy systems, as well as third-party aggregators that manage multiple systems. Key provisions include standardized contracts, consumer protections, and rules preventing double-compensation for the same service.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates compensation program for rooftop solar/batteries providing grid services, advancing distributed renewable energy integration and grid resilience per bill's core purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Solar Utility Regulation

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 21, 2025

SB 324: Energy: alternative sources; shared savings mechanism; provide for. Amends 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.1 - 460.11) by adding sec. 6x.

SB 324 requires the Public Service Commission to establish a "shared savings mechanism" for electric utilities in Michigan. This mechanism aims to incentivize electric utilities to invest in programs that reduce energy waste, conserve energy, and manage demand. Utilities can earn financial incentives based on the annual electric energy savings they achieve. The incentive is calculated as a percentage of the net benefits from these programs, with higher savings leading to a greater percentage of shared savings, up to a specified cap related to program expenditures.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyIncentivizes utilities to reduce energy waste and conserve via financial rewards, directly advancing energy efficiency goals per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires utilities to reduce energy waste and conserve through financial incentives, directly advancing environmental protection via energy efficiency measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Utility Regulation

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SB 369: Public utilities: public service commission; calculation of costs of renewable energy; provide for. Amends 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.1 - 460.11) by adding sec. 6y.

SB 369 requires Michigan's Public Service Commission to create an online tool by December 31, 2026, that calculates the full lifetime cost of renewable energy projects for customers. The tool must include construction costs (like site prep, materials, grid connection) and end-of-life costs (decommissioning, disposal, site cleanup) for renewable energy systems. It directly affects utility customers by making these costs transparent over the system's operating lifetime. The bill mandates this calculation under Michigan's existing renewable energy framework without changing current energy policies.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires transparent cost calculation tool for renewable energy projects, enabling informed consumer decisions and promoting renewable adoption through full lifecycle cost disclosure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requires cost transparency for renewable energy projects, directly promoting clean energy adoption and environmental protection through transparent lifecycle cost calculations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Utility Regulation

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Sep 4, 2025

SB 519: Public utilities: consumer services; community solar facilities; require MPSC to promulgate rules concerning. Amends 2008 PA 295 (MCL 460.1001 - 460.1232) by adding secs. 245 & 247. TIE BAR WITH: SB 518'25

SB 519 requires Michigan's Public Service Commission to create rules enabling community solar programs. It mandates that at least 30% of electricity from each facility must serve low-income households or organizations, ensures subscribers can transfer their solar credits when moving within the same utility area, and prevents utilities from changing a customer's rate class for joining solar programs. The bill also establishes bill credit rates based on utility rates (excluding distribution costs) to ensure all customer groups can access community solar. These rules directly affect electric providers, low-income households, and all Michigan residents who may subscribe to community solar facilities.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 30% low-income service, enables community solar access, prevents rate class changes for solar subscribers - directly advances renewable energy infrastructure and consumer access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Utility Regulation

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 439: Public utilities: public service commission; requirement for integrated resource plans to include payment to certain workers a minimum wage standard as determined under 2023 PA 10; amend to reflect repeal. Amends sec. 6t of 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.6t). TIE BAR WITH: SB 438'25

SB 439 requires Michigan's Public Service Commission to establish standardized modeling scenarios for electric utilities' integrated resource plans by August 2025. These plans must include specific considerations like environmental regulations, demand response programs, electrification potential, and impacts on environmental justice communities. The bill mandates utilities to project 5-, 10-, and 15-year energy needs while accounting for regional infrastructure limits and technology costs. It directly affects regulated electric utilities in Michigan, requiring them to incorporate these standardized planning elements into their resource strategies. The bill does not address minimum wage payments, as incorrectly referenced in the title.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires utilities to include environmental regulations, electrification potential, and environmental justice impacts in resource planning, advancing clean energy considerations in infrastructure planning.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates utilities to pay certain workers minimum wage per 2023 PA 10, directly protecting wage standards under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation Minimum Wage

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 18, 2025

HB 4976: Public utilities: consumer services; prohibition for an electric utility to reclaim revenue they were required to pay in service outage credits; provide for. Amends sec. 6a of 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.6a).

HB 4976 prohibits electric utilities in Michigan from seeking to recover revenue they were required to pay as service outage credits to customers. This directly affects electric utilities serving Michigan residents and businesses, as it prevents them from later reclaiming refunds paid for power outages. The key provision states that once an electric utility issues outage credits (refunds for service interruptions), it cannot attempt to get that money back through future rate adjustments. This ensures customers who received outage credits retain the full benefit without utilities offsetting those payments against future bills.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPrevents utilities from reclaiming outage credits paid to consumers, directly protecting utility consumers from future rate increases related to service interruptions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Utility Regulation

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passed · Michigan · Senate Sep 4, 2025

SB 395: Natural resources: gas and oil; definitions in the crude oil and petroleum act; update. Amends sec. 1 of 1929 PA 16 (MCL 483.1). TIE BAR WITH: SB 394'25

SB 395 updates the definition of "carbon dioxide substance" in Michigan's oil and gas law to explicitly include CO₂ used in enhanced oil recovery operations or storage. This affects companies handling CO₂ for oil extraction and the Michigan Public Service Commission, which regulates these activities. The bill clarifies that carbon sequestration wells operating under existing environmental laws (Part 651 of the Natural Resources Act) are excluded from new regulatory requirements. It does not change existing pipeline rights or create new obligations, solely refining definitions for clarity.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill facilitates fossil fuel extraction via CO₂ EOR in oil/gas law, removing regulatory barriers without promoting renewables. This favors fossil fuels over clean energy standards.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExcludes carbon sequestration wells from new regulatory requirements, weakening potential environmental oversight for oil and gas operations using CO₂.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Utility Regulation

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in committee · Michigan · House Oct 21, 2025

HB 4526: Public utilities: other; challenges to utility projects; revise. Amends sec. 6 of 1980 PA 87 (MCL 213.56).

HB 4526 amends Michigan's condemnation law to clarify how courts review the "public necessity" of utility projects (like power lines) when property owners challenge them. It requires courts to hold hearings within 30 days of a challenge and decide within 60 days, prioritizing transmission line routes near public land, existing rights-of-way, or property boundaries. For private utility projects, courts must determine necessity based on evidence, while certificates from the Public Service Commission create a "prima facie" case for necessity. The bill also limits appeals of court rulings on necessity to require court permission, streamlining the process for utility companies and property owners.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyStreamlines court reviews for utility projects, prioritizing transmission lines and reducing delays, facilitating energy infrastructure deployment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pipeline Infrastructure Transmission Utility Regulation

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in committee · Michigan · House Oct 21, 2025

HB 4590: Public utilities: consumer services; community solar facilities; require MPSC to promulgate rules concerning. Amends sec. 5 of 2008 PA 295 (MCL 460.1005) & adds pt. 9.

HB 4590 adds Part 9 to Michigan's Clean and Renewable Energy Act, requiring the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to create rules for "Locally Distributed Shared Solar Facilities" (LDSS). This bill directly affects community solar projects and subscribers, mandating that LDSS facilities must use solar panels not made in China, North Korea, or Iran, have at least three subscribers, limit any single subscriber to 40% of output, and meet specific size caps (5 MW or 20 MW). Key provisions include requiring facilities to provide bill credits proportional to each subscriber's contribution and ensuring 60% of capacity is subscribed by small users (40 kW or less). The MPSC must establish these rules to govern community solar programs under this new framework.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill adds LDSS rules under Clean Energy Act, promoting community solar access with requirements for renewable energy infrastructure expansion while excluding specific foreign-sourced panels.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Utility Regulation

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