Amend State Law To Lower UPPCO Electric Rates PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE December 7, 2016 (Germfask) Today, a citizens group based in Germfask has sent an email to state representative Ed McBroom, John Kivela, and Scott Dianda suggesting amendments to the Senate Bill 437 now being considered by the state House of Representatives. The amendments would lower residential rates for UPPCO by approximately 25% yet it would not affect UPPCO’s overall revenue. Additionally, the amendments would give U.P. residents a greater voice in rate cases requiring the Michigan Public Service Commission to hold at least one public hearing in the territory of any Upper Peninsula investor owned utility (UPPCO, WPS, NSP and WEPCO) prior to approving any rate increase. Currently, aggrieved ratepayers must travel all the way to Lansing to attend such a public hearing. Gary Talarico, spokesperson for the ad hoc group said, “adoption of these three amendments would dramatically improve the plight of thousands of U.P. electric customers. The rate reduction amendment would only apply to utilities serving between 50,000 and 100,000 customers. In other words, that amendment would only apply to UPPCO as they are the only investor owned utility that falls within that customer range in the state.” The MPSC only regulates investor owned utilities, it does not regulate the rates of municipal utilities or cooperatives that have opted out of such regulation. However, the requirement that the MPSC hold a public hearing in the territory of any U.P. investor owned utility prior to issuing a rate order would apply to three U.P. utilities, UPPCO, WEPCO and WPS. “At this time no U.P. legislator has committed to sponsoring any such amendments so ratepayers are encouraged to call them at the phone numbers listed below. The House is scheduled to take up this energy legislation any day as they plan to adjourn on Dec 15th, so people should call today,” said Talarico. Rep Ed McBroom 517-373-0156 Rep Scott Dianda 517-373-0850 Rep John Kivela 517-373-0498 For further Information Contact: Gary Talarico at 906-450-7675