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Consumers Energy Stands Firm Against Legal Challenge

Consumers Energy is taking a bold step in defense of responsible economic development in Michigan. The company recently announced its opposition to a legal challenge posed by the state's Attorney General, aimed at overturning recent customer protection orders that are crucial for attracting data centers and other significant businesses to the state.

On December 11, 2025, Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a petition with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) for reconsideration of a November 6 order that instituted new safeguards for energy-intensive businesses. This order lays down regulations regarding the energy consumption of new data centers and large enterprises, ensuring that they contribute fairly to the energy costs incurred by all consumers.

Kelly Hall, the Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Legal Affairs at Consumers Energy, dismissed the Attorney General's challenge as unsubstantiated. Hall emphasized that the MPSC's ruling provides a vital framework to support Michigan’s growth and increase job opportunities, which will, in turn, generate higher tax revenues for local communities. "The Attorney General's challenge has no merit," said Hall.

Further comments from Lauren Snyder, the Senior Vice President and Chief Customer and Growth Officer, shed light on the broader implications of this situation. Snyder noted that opposing such economic growth opportunities is detrimental not just to businesses, but also to families. When businesses grow successfully, they create more appealing job opportunities, enhance education systems, and contribute to building prosperous communities where residents wish to live long-term.

Consumers Energy has a responsibility to its nearly 2 million customers, working tirelessly to ensure that it meets their energy needs. As part of this commitment, the company asserts that new large customers will shoulder their operational costs, helping to alleviate the financial burden on existing customers who would otherwise cover these expenses.They plan to submit an updated Energy Supply Plan in the upcoming year, which will guarantee an adequate energy supply sourced from natural gas, renewable technologies, and battery repositories to meet increasing demand driven by new businesses.

According to the guidelines established by the MPSC, Consumers Energy’s tariff applicable to data centers, and other customers with substantial energy needs, will impact those using a minimum of 100 megawatts of electricity. Currently, Consumers Energy only has one customer that exceeds this threshold, served under a special rate issued by the Legislature.

At the core of Consumers Energy’s mission is the goal of attracting new businesses, including data centers, to Michigan while ensuring that the benefits are widespread throughout the community. Kelly Hall concluded with hopes that the Attorney General would reconsider her position and withdraw her challenge against the commendable work of the MPSC.

As Michigan's primary energy supplier, Consumers Energy caters to 6.8 million individuals across all 68 counties in the Lower Peninsula. It remains committed to delivering reliable and affordable energy to its customers around the clock. For further information, visit ConsumersEnergy.com.