MichiganRadio

Consumers Energy May Owe Ratepayers Millions of Dollars LANSING, MI (Associated Press) -

State regulators are asking Consumers Energy Co. to show why it hasn't returned unspent funds to its Michigan customers after nearly four years.

The Michigan Public Service Commission on Tuesday directed the Jackson-based utility to file a response by Oct. 30 saying why it hasn't paid the refunds ordered in December 2005.

Consumers Energy spokesman Dan Bishop says the utility is studying the commission's order.

The refunds include $6.5 million the company didn't spend for tree trimming and $7.6 million it didn't spend for operations and maintenance at some of its plants. The utility collected money from customers for those expenses in 2005.

The commission could charge the company interest and fines on the unpaid refunds.
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