The House
Energy & Technology Committee continued deliberations on whether Michigan
residents can choose their electric provider. In particular, discussions
surrounded the laws requiring the Michigan Public Service Commission’s to limit
electric provider choice at 10 percent.
Committee Chair Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) noted the importance of discussing
this issue globally as utilities are currently working toward meeting new renewable energy and energy efficiency
requirements by 2015.
On a related
note, the Michigan Jobs and Energy Coalition released a poll last week
indicating that only 2 percent of Michigan voters felt that the regulation of
electric utilities was a priority for state lawmakers to address. Additionally, the poll revealed that keeping
electric prices predictable and affordable was more important to respondents than
market deregulation or accessing market based pricing.