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Shocking Surcharges Coming for Michigan Electricity Customers LANSING, MI (Associated Press) -
Michigan regulators are letting utilities add fees to energy bills to meet new renewable power and energy-efficiency requirements.

Starting Sept. 1, Consumers Energy's residential electric customers will pay $2.50 a month for a renewable energy program.

Beginning June 1, Consumers Energy's electric customers will pay 71 cents per month for a program designed to reduce power usage. The utility's natural gas customers will pay $1.72 a month for energy efficiency.

The Public Service Commission approved the surcharges Tuesday. The fees aren't surprising because they're allowed under a 2008 state law.

Energy-efficiency surcharges also were OK'd for SEMCO, Michigan Gas Utilities, Upper Peninsula Power, Wisconsin Public Service and Wisconsin Electric Power. © Copyright 2012, Associated Press