Michigan’s efforts to let consumers shop around for electricity cleared another hurdle Wednesday, but the plan still could face legal challenges.
If a lawsuit doesn’t slow things, 2.5 percent of Detroit Edison Co. and Consumers Energy Co.’s customers could have a choice in their electric supplier by March 31 if the plan wins federal approval. All customers would have that choice by 2002.
Detroit Edison and Jackson-based Consumers had asked regulators to reconsider parts of the state’s electric competition plan, arguing it was unclear how much the utilities could charge for past investments and for letting other companies use their power lines.
The Michigan Public Service Commission on Wednesday set a starting point for past investments of $2.5 billion for Detroit Edison and $1.8 billion for Consumers. Much of that was for nuclear power plants.
The actual amount would be decided each year based on the price of electricity and on how many customers choose other suppliers.
