![Consumers Energy: Gas Bill Will Be Higher Than We First Told You](http://townsquare.media/site/656/files/2017/02/Stove-Burner-GettyImages-2074492.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Consumers Energy: Gas Bill Will Be Higher Than We First Told You
Last month the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved a request by Consumers Energy to increase their customer's natural gas rates.
How much will that rate increase bring into the coffers of Consumers; that would be an additional $143.5 million, starting this month.
According to a MLive article, those of us who use 10,000 cubic feet of natural gas originally were told our monthly bill will go up by $5.48. Apparently the Michigan Public Service Commission calculated incorrectly and now we are told Consumers Energy customers will pay an extra $6.11 per month on 10,000 cubic feet of natural gas.
That's a hefty one time increase of approximately 8.5%.
Per the Michigan Public Service Commission that increase will pay for their:
infrastructure investments, speed up the removal of at-risk lines made of old materials and enhance technology to improve customer service
Here is the interesting part; the MPSC approved a $1.6 billion refund to Consumers Energy customers. This refund came from President Trump and the Republicans Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Here is the part I have a question about, these refunds will be spread over 44 years.
Why spread these refunds over 44 years and increase their customers natural gas cost by 8.5%. Why not apply those refunds to the increased cost to their customers?
More From WBCKFM
![Pain at the Pump — Gas Prices Hit Record High in West Michigan](http://townsquare.media/site/43/files/2021/12/attachment-Gas-Pump-Cash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![What Was The Cost Of Gasoline When You Were Sixteen?](http://townsquare.media/site/656/files/2022/03/attachment-GettyImages-178371765.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![West Michigan Gas Prices Too High? Here’s How You Can Save At The Pump](http://townsquare.media/site/44/files/2022/03/attachment-Untitled-design-49.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Consumers Energy: $7500 Grant For Michigan Trees](http://townsquare.media/site/656/files/2022/02/Charlevoix-County-Building-Google-Street-View-Nov-7-2019.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Michigan Gas Prices are Ridiculously High – Is There Any End in Sight?](http://townsquare.media/site/85/files/2021/07/attachment-GettyImages-97962752-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gas Prices Won’t Be Coming Down Anytime Soon](http://townsquare.media/site/85/files/2021/11/attachment-GettyImages-97962772.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Hallelujah Michigan AG Nessel Calls For The End Of Power Outages](http://townsquare.media/site/656/files/2021/10/attachment-Dana.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Would You Pay Consumers Energy Or DTE Extra For Green Energy?](http://townsquare.media/site/656/files/2021/10/attachment-FCC9C5A4-E242-414B-B511-84BA3CF6DC5C.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![Michigan Sees Highest Gas Prices for the Year With No Relief in Sight](http://townsquare.media/site/656/files/2021/06/Gas-Prices-C-Store-and-Circle-K-at-Columbia-and-Riverside-TSM-Photo-Tim-Collins.jpg?w=980&q=75)