Consumers Energy receives rate increase for improvements

LANSING (WKZO AM/FM) – Customers of Consumers Energy will see their electric bills increase beginning January 1^st.

The state Public Service Commission approved the rate increase, which will result in an average increase of about 9.17 per month, or about 12 percent.

In addition to the rate hike, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act credit will expire on January 1^st as well, which factors into the increase as well.

The utility had sought to raise electric bills by 289 million dollars, but was approved for less than half of that by the Commission.

Consumers says it will use the funds to modernize infrastructure and meet clean energy goals.