Flint-area Consumers customers will see rate increase this year

LANSING, Mich. — Consumers Energy customers will see an increase on their utility bills soon. 

The new rate follows a March 2025 approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), which allowed Consumer Energy to collect an additional $153,809,000 from its customers. 

According to MPSC, the new rate will start on April 4, and residential customers using 500 kWh a month will see an increase of $2.78, or 2.79%, on their bills.

“The impact to customers is going to vary depending on their individual energy usage, but on average, most bills would only increase by a few dollars,” said Consumers Energy Media Relations Specialist, Tracy Wimmer, in a March 25, 2025 email statement to Flint Beat. 

Both MPSC and Consumers officials say the funds will support a tree-trimming initiative and other investments to decrease the number of customer power outages. 

At least $125 million will go towards the tree-trimming program, which includes cutting branches hanging over power lines. Additional money would allow Consumers to invest in low-voltage distribution, which officials say is also aimed at reducing the number of power outages.

“In 2024, 93[%] of customers who experienced an outage had their power restored within 24 hours, up from 87[%] the previous year. Projects like these, which result in a stronger, smarter grid with fewer outages, are funded through rates.”

Consumers provides electric service to an estimated 1.8 million customers, including those in Flint, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and the Lower Peninsula.