That’s right, @DetDocumenters is covering a State authority this time! Information on how to join this meeting, as well as the agenda may be found here: https://www.michigan.gov/mpsc/0,9535,7-395-93307_93311-550179--,00.html

“The mission of the Michigan Public Service Commission is to protect the public by ensuring safe, reliable, and accessible energy and telecommunications services at reasonable rates for Michigan’s residents.” https://www.michigan.gov/mpsc/0,9535,7-395--40495--,00.html

The MPSC is a three-member body, with commissioners appointed by the Governor with consent by the Senate. Current members are Chair Dan Scripps, Commissioner Katherine Peretick, and Commissioner Tremaine Phillips.

With all three commissioners present, we have a quorum and this meeting is called to order. https://t.co/awbVDQQiP6

Both today’s agenda, and last week’s minutes have been approved. All of the orders and minute actions on the Consent Agenda were unanimously approved with one vote and no discussion.

We’ve moved on to Approval of other Orders.

A1: This order concerns DTE Electric Company’s compliance with Public Act 342 of 2016, as well as PA 295 of 2008. Both of these acts require DTE to establish and recover costs for green, renewable energy programs. They are explained and compared here: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mpsc/Comparison_of_PA295_vs_PA342_for_EWR-EE-EO_554343_7.pdf

Soooo many details were presented, faster than I could possibly type. This includes a partial settlement agreement, and the addition of 800 megawatts of renewable energy. Also creates a Low Income Solar Council. Chair Scripps: “This is a significant development”.

Item A1 was unanimously approved.

Item A2 concerns the Commission’s own motion to amend the rules governing the preservation of records for electric, gas and steam utilities. Without any discussion, this item was also unanimously approved.

Item A3: Application of Consumers Energy Company for approval of changes to the Residential Income Assistance and Low-Income Assistance tariffs. No discussion, approved. https://www.consumersenergy.com/residential/programs-and-services/payment-assistance

Item B1: I can barely keep up. They are flying through this meeting.

DTE is seeking a temporary waiver of Rule 460.2351(a), regulating how gas meters are to be tested and inspected. It seems there are many acceptable methods of testing and these waivers are often sought and granted.
https://casetext.com/regulation/michigan-administrative-code/department-licensing-and-regulatory-affairs/public-service-commission/technical-standards-for-gas-service/part-5-meters-metering-equipment-inspections-and-tests/section-r-4602351a-statistical-quality-sampling-program-for-diaphragm-type-meters

Item B1 was approved without discussion. We’ve moved on to item B2.....

DTE Gas Company is seeking a temporary waiver of Rule 460.2345 requiring implementation of the American Petroleum Institute Standard 1164. Titled “Pipeline SCADA Security”, API Standard 1164 outlines requirements and best practices for maintaining pipeline cybersecurity.

What is SCADA, you ask? “Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition”
https://www.inductiveautomation.com/resources/article/what-is-scada

Commissioner Peretick read a brief statement about B2, then they voted unanimously to approve it. https://t.co/lMmAD5L1xp

Item B3 concerned the application of Greenlight Energy Inc. for a license to operate as an alternative natural gas supplier. It was also unanimously approved. https://gogreenlightenergy.com

Having finished Approval of other Orders in record time, we’ve reached the Telecommunications Division update on the status of telecommunications licenses and on applications to the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. https://t.co/I44grSuSz2

There were 13 winning bidders in Michigan who will receive RDOF support. https://t.co/AZNDrtKATX

Here is the list of approved ETC (Eligible Telecommunications Carrier) Designations and Expansions… https://t.co/oHhCJvsUns

We’ve reached the end of today’s meeting and the commission is opening up time for public comment.

No one has posed a question in the q&a section online. They’ve asked anyone joining via phone to speak up with comments, but there are none. Public comments are now closed.

Chair Scripps states that the MPSC joins others in celebrating Pride Month, and is briefly describing several open positions with the MPSC which will be posted online shortly.

With no other comments by commissioners, today’s meeting was adjourned at 2:08pm. The next meeting of the MPSC will take place on Wednesday, June 23 at 1:30pm.

For more information on this meeting, or to learn how to get paid to cover your local government, check out http://documenters.org