On July 7, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) launched a valuable new tool that gives the public easier access to electric utility reliability data across Michigan. The public can now use an interactive map to view and better understand information on the reliability of electric service in their communities. This effort aligns with past advocacy from CUB for greater transparency and easily accessible reliability data for public use.
CUB appreciates the MPSC’s work to make outage information more transparent and available to customers, advocates, and regulators. For Michigan residents who experience frequent or extended power outages, the new mapping tool can help quantify what they are already experiencing. It will also allow residents and advocates to compare the quality of service in different areas of the state and help organizations like CUB focus advocacy on the areas where reliability concerns are most severe.
We welcome this new tool and the increased transparency it brings. It should be emphasized that while this is an important component of accountability, we view it as a first step. This data will need to be paired with clear standards, stronger accountability and cost-effective investments that improve grid reliability and reduce outages. Customers are paying for reliable electric service and a tool like this can help advocates, regulators and the public better understand if electric providers are delivering that reliability.
In its current presentation, the tool defaults to displaying reliability data that excludes major outage events such as the one that occurred over the recent Fourth of July holiday. We encourage users to select the “All Weather” option in the tool because storms and severe weather are a major part of the reliability experience Michigan consumers face. We also encourage the MPSC to consider making All Weather data the default for display, as utilities must be held accountable for their resilience to weather events as well as their response after outages occur
CUB thanks the MPSC for taking this important step toward greater transparency. We will continue exploring whether this tool can be used in regulatory proceedings to highlight areas of greatest need and ensure customers are getting the reliable service they are paying for.