Electric Rate Increase Approved By MPSC

As energy issues continue to get sorted out, one thing is clear: many Upper Peninsula residents will be paying more for power.

The Michigan Public Service Commission has approved the transfer of utility service from Integrys Energy Group to Wisconsin Electric Corporation.

Under terms of the agreement, Wisconsin Energy will continue to operate the Presque Isle Power Plant but will not charge system support resource payments to U.P. customers.

The MPSC also approved the agreement with the utility company to provide electric service to the Tilden Mining Company and the Empire Iron Mining Company through 2019.

Wisconsin Public Service Corporation was given the go-ahead by the MPSC to raise electric rates for all Michigan customers.

Depending on their service areas, some residential customers averaging 500 kilowatt-hours per month will pay an additional $2.44 per month.

Others could see an increase of $6.84 per month.

Those customers should expect additional increases of $5.10 in 2016, and $5.57 in 2017.

The increase amounts to more than $4 million over three years for the utility.