The company is applying with the Michigan Public Service Commission for its
first delivery increase since 2003
MONROE, Mich., May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Citing inflationary increases to
costs, Michigan Gas Utilities Corporation (MGUC), a subsidiary of Integrys
Energy Group (NYSE: TEG), today applied for an overall increase of 5.8
percent in its natural gas rates. The increase, if approved, would result
in a monthly increase of about $6 for the typical residential customer
using 92 MCF of natural gas annually.
Additionally, MGUC is asking for a 4.4 percent interim increase,
subject to refund, while the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC)
considers the overall request.
The commodity cost of natural gas is not affected by this rate request.
"Due to inflation, our costs have risen over the past five years, so we
need this increase to recover those increased costs," said MGUC President
Gary Erickson. "We are sensitive to our customers' frustration at rising
energy costs and we have tried to hold our request to a minimum. For
example, all MGUC employees are now bearing more of the cost of employee
benefits."
Erickson said that natural gas commodity prices continue to be volatile
and current indications are that prices could be higher next winter. MGUC
does not profit from the price of natural gas commodity. It simply passes
the cost of the natural gas commodity through to its customers, under the
oversight of the MPSC.
"The rate increase is only related with the delivery of the gas
commodity," Erickson said. "That makes up about 27 percent of the total
bill for a typical residential customer. The rest of the bill is the cost
of the natural gas commodity itself."
About Michigan Gas Utilities
Michigan Gas Utilities Corporation is a subsidiary of Integrys Energy
Group. MGUC is a natural gas utility, headquartered in Monroe, MI, serving
approximately 165,000 customers in lower Michigan.
SOURCE Michigan Gas Utilities Corporation
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.integrysgroup.com
CONTACT:
Paul Livernois, Manager - External Affairs of
Michigan Gas Utilities Corporation, +1-734-457-6123
|
