LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A three-person Michigan panel, whose appointees are put in place by the governor, approved a 6.1% rate hike for Consumers Energy on Friday afternoon.

The Michigan Public Service Commission’s (MPSC) most recent hike of $276 million comes within a year of a 2.8% rake hike. It’s estimated the increase will increase monthly bills for customers by about $6.46. Consumers Energy said the rate increase will go towards the utility’s reliability action plan. The decision comes despite pushbacks from customers.

Consumers Energy services 1.9 million electricity customers, along with 1.8 million gas customers, in most of mid-Michigan and parts of Southeast Michigan.

Tom Leonard, a Republican running for governor, said that although the MPSC will portray this move as the system working since they approved a lower rate than the initial request, he sees things differently.

“I wish the MPSC would just be honest. They do not work for us. They do not work for the public. They’re not there to serve the public despite what their mission statement says. They are there to serve two utilities – end of story. I wish they would own that.”

The rate increase will go into effect in May.