LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Consumers Energy has asked for another rate hike, this time with a $456 million price tag. That’s why one Michigan House member is asking her colleagues in the Senate to act on an energy affordability plan.

State Rep. Rachelle Smit (R-Martin) said 1.8 million Michigan customers will be impacted if Consumers receives the rate increase. She said the House Republican energy plan directs state officials to prioritize best technologies and affordability over political decisions that “appease extreme environmental activists.”

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House Bills 5710 and 5711 would refocus state energy policy on affordability and reliability by rolling back costly state mandates. In addition, the bills would require the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to prioritize whether proposed energy plans will keep costs manageable for residents. That includes a mandatory rate reduction to ensure any savings incurred by the utilities are passed down to ratepayers.

“Michigan energy providers and the residents footing the bill can’t keep up with the expensive green energy charade being pushed on us,” said Smit. “Consumers and other utilities are being forced to invest in unproven technologies that are costing regular people an arm and a leg. Those same people click on the news and watch China and India dump so much crap into the air and understandably question why middle-class Michiganders are being asked to save the planet.”

Both the energy and property tax plans are before the state Senate, awaiting further consideration.

Meanwhile, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office plans to push back on Consumers’ latest rate increase request, which would kick in next April. Nessel’s office reports the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has approved $800 million in rate increases for Consumers in the past six years. That includes approval of a $217 million increase just months ago.