LANSING, MI-- The Michigan Public Service Commission has approved a settlement agreement to create a new Michigan-only jurisdictional utility in the U.P.
The Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corporation (UMERC) will provide gas and electricity to 40,000 U.P. customers previously served by the Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation.
The new utility will begin January 1, 2017 and have offices in Menominee and Iron Mountain.
On June 14 WEPCo and WPS Corp. filed an application for approval of the transfer of WEPCo’s Michigan electric distribution assets and WPS Corp’s Michigan electric and natural gas distribution assets to UMERC. On October 14 all parties to the contested case filed a settlement agreement proposing to resolve all issues in the matter.
On November 7 the MPSC issued an order seeking more information on whether the proposed action would have an adverse impact on rates or the provision of safe, reliable, and adequate energy service.
