MichiganRadio

Consumers Energy Hiking Natural Gas Rates JACKSON, MI (Associated Press) -

Consumers Energy says it plans to implement an interim natural gas rate increase of $89 million next month.

The utility says the change would increase a residential customer's bill by about $3.50 a month, but because of lower natural gas costs the average monthly bill will be slightly lower than last winter.

The increase is scheduled to take effect Nov. 19.

Consumers Energy spokesman Jeff Holyfield tells the Jackson Citizen Patriot that an average monthly residential bill will be about $94 this winter. Last winter, he says the average bill was about $97.

Consumers Energy is a subsidiary of Jackson-based CMS Energy Corp.

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Information from: Jackson Citizen Patriot, http://www.mlive.com/jackson © Copyright 2012, Associated Press