Behind the Meter: An MPSC Podcast

Affordability isn’t achieved through one program, one order or a single conversation. Moving the needle requires multiple approaches—and all of us rowing in the same direction.
In this episode of Behind the Meter, MPSC Chair Dan Scripps and Commissioners Katherine Peretick and Shaquila Myers discuss the Commission’s ongoing work to improve energy affordability, including community engagement, a new affordability webpage and recommendations for legislative reforms that could help lower costs and improve reliability.
Hear how better aligning utility incentives with customer outcomes, reining in unnecessary costs, maximizing existing infrastructure, strengthening assistance programs and ensuring Michigan customers aren’t left paying costs created by large-load customers could help make energy more affordable for Michigan households.
 
Affordability website - www.michigan.gov/mpsc/commission/energy-affordability-in-michigan
 E18 Reducing Michigan’s Energy Burden – July 1, 2026 - https://youtu.be/5CJgLUkH44o?si=yPKsbaOy5d06g2Ea
 MEAP program - www.michigan.gov/mpsc/consumer/energy-assistance
 Utilities’ assistance programs - www.michigan.gov/mpsc/consumer/utility-program-portal
 Transparency HUB, Electric Reliability - experience.arcgis.com/experience/847314bf58a34d1a908a05be3cd3fadd?
 E19 Regulatory Transparency by Design – August 25, 2026 - https://youtu.be/gTAJ3Yj_WNI?si=aHMSJLbwx5psj9N9
MPSC recommendations to lower energy costs - www.michigan.gov/mpsc/commission/news-releases/2026/08/10/mpsc-delivers-recommendations-to-lower-energy-costs
 211 - mi211.org
 MPSC Get Help page - www.michigan.gov/mpsc/consumer/get-help
 MPSC Customer Assistance Division – (800) 292-9555 or (517) 284-8100 - www.michigan.gov/mpsc/about/contact-us
 Shutoff Protections for the Medically Vulnerable - www.michigan.gov/mpsc/-/media/Project/Websites/mpsc/consumer/info/tips/Shutoff_Protections_Medically_Vulnerable.pdf?rev=53ad15b7c3924f6eb6be46ca8803cd96&hash=86F0575FA80549C62CA6F198E6459D7F

The Michigan Public Service Commission is making utility data easier to access, understand and use.
 
In this episode of Behind the Meter, we explore Regulatory Transparency by Design and the MPSC’s first-in-the-nation online transparency tool, which gives the public greater access to customer and electric reliability data that was once spread across regulatory filings and technical reports.
 
Learn how customers can use the data to better understand utility performance, how MPSC staff use it to identify trends and strengthen oversight, and why greater access to information can lead to better questions, better decisions, and better outcomes for Michigan customers.
 
Transparency isn’t simply about making data public—it’s about making information accessible, understandable, and useful.
Michigan Transparency: Empowering People to Understand Information Driving Regulatory Decisions | Fortnightly: https://www.fortnightly.com/fortnight...

Electric Reliability: https://experience.arcgis.com/experie...

In this episode of the Michigan Public Service Commission’s Behind the Meter podcast, we explore the MPSC’s new energy affordability goal: reducing the energy burden for income‑constrained Michiganders to no more than 6% of household income.
Earlier this month, the MPSC established the 6% benchmark as the guiding standard for improving and coordinating energy assistance programs across Michigan. The goal is to shift from a crisis‑driven system to one focused on long‑term home energy security, ensuring families don’t have to choose between paying utility bills and covering essentials like food or medicine. MPSC 

Resources:
Energy Affordability, Case No. U-20757 Issue Brief
Commissioners Introduce 6% Energy Burden Benchmark Instagram
Commissioners Introduce 6% Energy Burden Benchmark Facebook
MPSC Get Help Page
Michigan's 211 Website
Michigan Public Service Commission Consumer Tips Page
Press Release

This episode explores how Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) shapes Michigan’s long‑term energy decisions. We break down what an IRP is, why it matters, and how it guides utilities in delivering safe, reliable, and affordable power. Listeners will gain insight into the data, technologies, and policy considerations that inform Michigan’s energy future.

In this episode of the MPSC’s Behind the Meter podcast, we follow a day in the life of Customer Assistance Division staff who help Michigan energy and telecom customers resolve disputes and navigate assistance options. Listeners get an inside look at how the call center supports customers, identifies issues with providers, and spots trends that signal emerging problems — and learn when it’s time to reach out for help with their energy or telecom concern.

For more information on the inquires and complaints process: https://www.michigan.gov/mpsc/consumer/complaints