Results for “utility regulation”
37 stories
- politics
Michigan Gubernatorial Candidates Clash Over Data Center Regulation as Rural Communities Demand Local Control
Michigan's five gubernatorial candidates offered competing solutions to the data center boom, from local moratoriums to state regulations on energy costs, as rural communities demand greater say over these massive facilities.
April 24, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - legislature
Michigan DNR Proposes Major Deer Hunting and Fishing Regulation Changes for 2026 Season
The Michigan DNR has announced a series of proposed changes to deer hunting and fishing regulations for the 2026 season, including a one-buck bag limit and updated fishing rules that will be finalized at the May 13 Natural Resources Commission meeting.
April 5, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - politics
Michigan Lawmakers Push Utility Rate Freeze as Bills Aim to Block Annual Electricity Increases
Michigan Democratic senators and U.S. Representative Haley Stevens introduce utility reform legislation to block annual electricity rate increases and protect families from rising energy costs.
April 16, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - policy
MPSC Approves 1,332 MW Battery Storage Projects as DTE Electric Builds Nation's Largest Utility Energy Storage Portfolio
MPSC approves six battery storage projects totaling 1,332 MW, bringing DTE Electric's total storage capacity to 2,606 MW and making it one of the nation's largest utility-owned energy storage portfolios.
April 5, 2026·Michigan Capitol·5 sources - policy
Michigan Fishing Season Opens With New Regulations Affecting Lake Superior, Great Lakes Waters
Michigan's 2026 fishing season officially began April 1 with new regulations affecting Lake Superior, walleye limits, burbot possession, and spearfishing opportunities across Great Lakes waters.
April 2, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - policy
Michigan DNR Announces New Fishing Regulations for 2026 Season
Michigan's 2026 fishing season begins April 1 with new regulations for lake trout, walleye, burbot, and spearfishing designed to sustainably manage state fisheries.
April 2, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - policy
Michigan MPSC Approves $276.6 Million Consumers Energy Rate Hike While Multiple Utility Cases Remain Open
Michigan Public Service Commission approves $276.6 million rate increase for Consumers Energy, effective May 1, 2026, while multiple utility rate cases remain open before the regulator.
April 1, 2026·Michigan Capitol·5 sources - policy
Michigan House Democrats Propose Elected Public Service Commission to Replace Appointed Utility Regulators
Michigan House Democrats introduce legislation to replace governor-appointed Public Service Commission members with voter-elected commissioners, responding to public frustration over utility rate hikes and expanding the panel to five members with term limits.
March 31, 2026·Michigan Capitol·7 sources - policy
MPSC Approves $276.6 Million Consumers Energy Rate Hike as Utility Continues Reliability Investments
The Michigan Public Service Commission approved a $276.6 million rate increase for Consumers Energy, the largest utility rate hike in decades, to support reliability improvements and grid resilience investments that will take effect May 1.
March 31, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - policy
Michigan Lawmakers Advance Comprehensive Drone Regulation Package Through Legislature
Michigan lawmakers are advancing a comprehensive bipartisan drone regulation package that addresses critical infrastructure protection, foreign-made drone restrictions, and enhanced state oversight through the Department of Transportation.
March 31, 2026·Michigan Capitol·7 sources - policy
Warren Residents Face Higher Bills as Nessel Accuses DTE of Political Corruption, Lawmaker Pushes MPSC Election Reform
Attorney General Dana Nessel accused DTE Energy and Consumers Energy of using dark money and lobbying to protect rate hikes. A state lawmaker introduced a bill to make MPSC commissioners elected instead of appointed, a change that could affect Warren residents facing a 9.7 percent rate increase.
3h ago·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - politics
Michigan Lawmakers Propose Three-Year Utility Rate Freeze to Stop Annual Bill Hikes
Michigan Senate Bill 768 would require utilities to file rate plans covering three years rather than one, potentially ending annual rate increase requests that Michigan residents say create financial uncertainty.
April 18, 2026·Michigan Capitol·4 sources - elections
Jocelyn Benson Proposes Banning Utility Political Spending in Michigan
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson proposes banning regulated utilities from spending money to influence or elect politicians in Michigan as part of a broader energy reform plan.
April 18, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - policy
Michigan Public Service Commission Approves Massive Battery Storage Projects Amid Rising Utility Rates
Michigan's Public Service Commission has approved six battery storage projects totaling 1,332MW, including facilities to support Oracle's data center, as utilities seek rate hikes to fund infrastructure investments.
April 6, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - policy
Michigan Fishing Season 2026 Brings New Regulations for Walleye, Lake Trout, and Burbot
Michigan's 2026 fishing season brings new walleye slot limits in Marquette County, reduced lake trout possession limits in Lake Superior, and expanded spearfishing waters across the Great Lakes.
April 5, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - politics
Mackinac Island Ferry Companies Threaten to Cut Service in 2027 Over Rate Dispute
Two ferry lines serving Mackinac Island threaten to cease operations in 2027 over a dispute with city officials about rate regulation and monopoly concerns
May 1, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - governor
Consumers Energy Files New Rate Hike Request Just Seven Days After Last Increase Approved
Consumers Energy files notice to seek another rate increase just seven days after MPSC approved a $276.6 million hike, prompting Attorney General Dana Nessel to question the broken utility rate-setting system.
April 7, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - governor
Michigan MPSC Approves $276.6 Million Consumers Energy Rate Hike Despite Attorney General Challenge
MPSC approves 8.9% rate increase for Consumers Energy to strengthen grid reliability, despite Attorney General's criticism and growing concerns about utility oversight
April 5, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - governor
Michigan Declares Energy Emergency as Governor Whitmer Tries to Ease High Gas Prices
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs Executive Order No. 2026-4 declaring a state of energy emergency to lower gas prices in eight southeastern Michigan counties by suspending fuel regulations that would allow cheaper winter blend gasoline to be sold through the spring.
April 4, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - governor
Michigan MPSC Approves 1.3 GW Battery Storage Projects, 332 MW to Serve Oracle Data Center Despite Controversy
Michigan MPSC approved 1,332 MW of battery storage projects, including 332 MW to serve Oracle's data center, despite Attorney General pushback on data center contracts and utility rate approvals.
April 2, 2026·Michigan Capitol·6 sources - policy
DTE Promises Rate Freeze Through 2028 But Ties Deal to Data Center Approval and Current Rate Hike
DTE Energy promises to freeze electric rates through 2028 but ties the deal to approval of its current rate increase and the successful launch of a Saline Township data center, prompting criticism from Attorney General Dana Nessel who called it a ransom note.
April 25, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - policy
Consumers Energy Files Another Rate Hike Request Days After MPSC Approval Sparks Attorney General Fury
Consumers Energy files new electric rate hike request just days after MPSC approves $276.6 million increase, prompting Attorney General Nessel to call the system truly broken as she calls for legislative reform.
April 8, 2026·Michigan Capitol·4 sources - policy
Michigan Lawmakers Push 'Kids Over Clicks' Bills to Curb Social Media Addiction and Protect Minors Online
Michigan lawmakers are advancing legislation that would limit addictive social media feeds, restrict certain AI chatbot features, and give parents more control over their children's online activity, following a California jury verdict holding Meta and Google liable for youth harm.
April 7, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - legislature
Michigan Lawmakers Propose Tobacco Retail Licensure to Replace Underage Buyer Penalties
Michigan lawmakers are advancing legislation that would require tobacco retailers to obtain state licenses and face steeper fines for selling to minors, while simultaneously removing penalties for underage buyers and users of tobacco products.
April 4, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - politics
Michigan Lawmakers Ignored Dam Safety Recommendations as State Prepares for Flooding
Michigan lawmakers ignored recommendations from a 2021 dam safety task force as severe flooding now threatens the state. The task force recommended 86 improvements including increased funding and stricter regulations, but the Legislature did little to act on those suggestions.
April 21, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - legislature
Michigan House Passes Kratom Ban as State Tackles 'Gas Station Heroin' Debate
Michigan House passes House Bill 5537 banning kratom sale and distribution, with Rep. Cam Cavitt calling the substance a crisis affecting children. Bill now heads to Senate amid debate over medical research and regulation.
April 21, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - policy
Michigan Communities Push Back Against Data Centers as State Lawmakers Consider Moratorium and Tax Repeal
Michigan communities are rallying against data centers while state lawmakers consider repealing tax breaks for the facilities. A ballot initiative to ban utility political donations has 81 percent support. Deep Green withdrew its $120 million Lansing proposal amid community opposition.
April 10, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - policy
EPA Adds Microplastics to Drinking Water Watch List but Michigan Lawmakers Push for More Action
EPA adds microplastics and pharmaceuticals to drinking water contaminant watch list, but Michigan lawmakers and environmental groups call for stronger monitoring and regulation. State has launched its own testing program for 200 inland lakes and streams.
April 9, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - policy
Michigan Food Banks Face Rising Costs and Federal SNAP Cuts as State Budget Director Visits Kalamazoo
Michigan State Budget Director Jen Flood toured Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes amid growing concerns over SNAP funding challenges from federal regulations under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The Governor's $88.1 billion budget proposal includes $186 million for SNAP administration, while food banks across Michigan report rising costs and donation deficits.
April 9, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - policy
Consumers Energy Plans to Sell 13 Aging Dams to Private Equity Firm in Controversial Deal
Consumers Energy plans to sell 13 aging dams to private equity firm Confluence Hydro for $13 total in a deal critics say would cost ratepayers billions over 30 years while generating $270 million in utility profits.
April 8, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - policy
Michigan Agencies Fail to Act on Plastic Pellet Spill That Polluted Kalamazoo River for Weeks
Michigan state agencies failed to act for weeks on a plastic pellet spill that polluted the Kalamazoo River. A semi-trailer crash in January released 48,000 pounds of plastic pellets, but the Environmental Department wasn't notified until three weeks later. Cleanup is now underway, but questions remain about interagency coordination and regulation of industrial microplastics.
April 7, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - legislature
Michigan Legislature Advances Voter ID, Anti-Terrorism and Business Bills in March 2026
Michigan Legislature advances multiple bills in March 2026 covering voter ID requirements, anti-terrorism law updates, and small business regulations amid split government dynamics
April 6, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - policy
Michigan Environmental Groups Call for More Action on Microplastics as Federal EPA Designates Pollutants as Priority
The Trump administration's designation of microplastics and pharmaceuticals as priority drinking water contaminants has drawn mixed reactions in Michigan, with environmental groups and state officials urging stronger monitoring requirements and regulation despite the federal EPA's new priority contaminant listing.
April 6, 2026·Michigan Capitol·5 sources - policy
Michigan Environmental Leaders Push for Microplastics Monitoring as Federal Agency Takes First Steps
Trump administration adds microplastics and pharmaceuticals to federal drinking water contaminant list for the first time, but Michigan environmental groups and lawmakers urge more aggressive action including state-level monitoring and regulation.
April 5, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - policy
Michigan Utilities Face Back-to-Back Rate Hikes as MPSC Approves $276.6M Consumers Energy Increase
Michigan Public Service Commission approves $276.6 million rate hike for Consumers Energy, raising residential bills by 8.9% starting May 1, as utility customers face back-to-back increases from both major providers.
April 4, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - policy
EPA Adds Microplastics and Pharmaceuticals to Drinking Water Contaminant List, but Michigan Officials Call for More Action
EPA adds microplastics and pharmaceuticals to drinking water contaminant list for first time, but Michigan officials and environmental groups are calling for more aggressive monitoring and regulation of the pollutants.
April 3, 2026·Michigan Capitol·4 sources - legislature
Michigan House Republicans Unveil Energy Bills to Roll Back Clean Energy Standards
Michigan House Republicans introduced energy bills targeting the 2023 clean energy mandate that would eliminate renewable energy goals and restructure utility planning to prioritize reliability and affordability.
April 1, 2026·Michigan Capitol·5 sources