The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has approved DTE Electric Co.’s revised voluntary green pricing program, which allows residential and small commercial customers to designate how much of the electricity they use is to be generated from renewable sources.
With the revisions, the commission determined that the MIGreenPower program now meets the criteria set in Section 61 of Public Act 342 of 2016 (Case No. U-18352). In October 2018, the MPSC ordered DTE Electric to make changes to the program because of concerns the commission had about cost, particularly for marketing and administration; pricing transparency; customer options; an enrollment cap; and a lack of expansion plans.
DTE Electric refiled its plan Feb. 4, and MPSC staff determined the changes did meet the requirements the commission adopted in December 2017.
Under the revised program, customers who want their electricity generated by wind and solar resources will pay a subscription fee of 7.2 cents/kWh (a net cost of 3.3 cents). Those who want to exclusively use wind will pay a subscription fee of 5.2 cents/kWh (a net cost of 2.3 cents).
Further, the cap on kilowatt-hours was eliminated, and more resources will be added when the program is at least 75% subscribed. The MPSC will review all costs in biennial reports that DTE Electric is instructed to file with the commission.
In January, the MPSC approved DTE Electric’s voluntary green pricing pilot program for industrial and larger commercial customers.
