The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today directed Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) to file on Nov. 23 a tariff showing the rates that it proposes to self-implement between Jan. 1, 2010 and June 26, 2010, as allowed by Michigan law.

All parties will be able to respond to the tariff filing, if they so choose, in responses to be filed no later than Dec. 3.

Today's order also schedules a hearing at the MPSC Lansing office at 9 a.m. on Dec. 10, where the utility will provide one witness to support the reasonableness of the proposed tariffs and will provide evidence regarding the effect of the statutory rate design option and reasonable alternatives thereto.

UPPCO on June 26 filed an application requesting authority to increase its rates by approximately $12.2 million annually.  By law, on Jan. 1, 2010, absent an order from the MPSC that either prevents or delays self-implementation, UPPCO may self-implement up to the amount of its proposed rate increase.

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.

Case No. U-15988