This charge helps cover the cost of producing and delivering electricity. Some of those costs—like fuel, buying power from other sources, and using transmission lines—can change month to month.

Your energy rate already includes a base amount for these costs. However, if actual costs go above that base, the PSCR factor is added to make up the difference.

Each year, we review these costs to make sure to only recover what is actually spent. We do not make a profit from this charge. It's just used to cover real expenses.

This is a fixed monthly fee approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). It helps cover the basic costs of providing service—like metering, billing, and customer support. This fee is not based on how much electricity you use. 

This charge is based on how much electricity (in kilowatt-hours) you use. It helps pay for the equipment and maintenance we need to deliver electricity from the power grid to your home. 

This charge supports our programs that help customers use energy more efficiently. It was approved under a 2016 law and is based on your electricity use (kWh). These programs can help you save energy and money. Learn more at consumersenergy.com/eeprograms. 

This charge helps us meet Michigan’s renewable energy goals, such as using more wind and solar power. Right now, the charge is set to $0, so it doesn’t appear on your bill. However, it may be added on bills in the future. It’s reviewed every two years and will stay active through August 2029.

This is a general label used on your bill to include certain charges that are no longer listed as separate items. One of these is the Energy Efficiency Program Surcharge, which helps fund programs that promote energy-saving upgrades.  

This charge helps cover costs related to solar energy agreements. It’s based on how much electricity (in kilowatt-hours) you use. The MPSC approved this charge to support solar power purchases.

This allows us to recover costs related to retired power plant assets by issuing bonds. These bonds help spread the cost over time and are paid back through this charge on customer bills. The charge is updated each year through a process called a "true-up" to ensure the correct amount is collected. 

This charge was approved to recover costs related to the Karn Units 1 and 2 power plants. We issued bonds in 2023 to cover these costs. The charge began appearing on bills in January 2024.  It is adjusted periodically through a true-up process. 

This charge helps fund energy assistance programs for low-income households across Michigan, especially during the heating season. It was created by state law in 2013 and is managed by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). The charge is added to each electric meter and is the same for all customers.  

An MPSC approved surcharge that's based on how much electricity you use. 

This charge is based on your electricity use (kWh) and helps recover costs for demand response programs. Demand response encourages customers to reduce or shift energy use during times of high demand such as hot summer days. This helps ease grid stress, prevent outages, and lower costs. Customers who join these programs often earn bill credits or other incentives.

This charge supports investments in critical infrastructure—like upgrades to the electric system—to improve reliability and safety. It’s also approved by the MPSC and began applying to bills starting April 4, 2025. 

The subscription fee covers the cost to build, own, and operate the renewable facilities that are part of our Renewable Energy Program.

With the Green Giving Credit, you get the same credits as the REP program, but with the subscription fee waived. So, Green Giving customers do not have to pay any costs.  

Renewable energy is produced and sold to the grid. That value is given back to you as a REP Energy Credit.

A credit for the ability of a renewable energy system to provide power when needed, especially during peak demand times. 

On select summer days, we call for Energy Savings Events when electricity demand is high. If you shift your energy use outside the peak hours of 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., you earn $1 in bill credits for every kilowatt-hour reduced or moved. There are no penalties if you don’t participate, and you can join up to 14 events per year.

Customers who are 65 or older and the head of their household get a $4 credit every month on their bill. Seniors may also qualify for Winter Protection and other assistance programs.

A monthly bill credit for income-qualified customers to help reduce energy costs. Eligibility is based on household income and participation in assistance programs. 

A state program that helps low-income households pay heating costs. To apply, see HHC details from the State of Michigan. Eligibility is based on income, household size, and heating costs.