Critical Peak Pricing Program

All summer long, you get an 14% lower rate for 19 hours each weekday and all weekend.

For this low rate, you agree to reduce your electricity from 2 – 6 p.m. on Energy Savings Event days.

Good For You If:

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You want to maximize savings by paying close attention to electricity use

When you agree to participate, you'll get an 14% discount on your electricity use for 19 hours a day on weekdays and all weekend long. In exchange, you will be charged $1 per kWh for any electricity used during Energy Savings Events.

You can watch closely for alerts about summer Energy Savings Events

You will be notified by text or email the day before an Energy Savings Event occurs. Get ready to take action when you receive these alerts.

You are confident you can shift electricity use during Energy Savings Events

Manage how much you are spending on energy during events by shifting as much electricity use as possible to the morning or later in the evening.

How It Works

You help conserve energy by temporarily shifting or reducing electricity use on select Energy Savings Event days in the summer. There will be no more than 14 events per summer. Each event typically lasts four hours.
For any electricity used during event hours, you will be charged $1 per kWh between the hours of 2 – 6 p.m. So, the more you shift your electric use out of those four hours, the more you’ll save.
In the days following the event, we’ll send your energy use report. You’ll see how much energy you saved by reducing energy use on the most critical days of the year.

Critical Peak Pricing FAQs

When do Energy Savings Events occur?

Energy Savings Events will usually occur up to 14 times during the summer months of June through September. This will be on non-holiday weekdays from 2 – 6 p.m. Events may be called because of an electric supply emergency or when we expect peak electricity demand. This happens especially during hot and humid weather. See Terms and Conditions for more details.

Can I opt out of an Energy Savings Event?

If you’re unable to participate in an event, you can choose not to reduce or shift your electricity use on an Energy Savings Event day. You will be charged the event rate of $1/kWh for any electricity used during that time.

What is peak demand?

Peak demand is the time of day when customers are using the most electricity. This is most common during air conditioning season, from June through September, in the late afternoon (2–7 p.m.). However, electric demand can also spike during especially cold days. By lowering energy use during peak demand hours, you lower stress on the energy grid and shift energy use to less expensive off-peak times.

What is the difference between the Critical Peak Pricing Program and the Summer Rate?

The Summer Rate is the standard rate for Residential electric service customers. It consists of “on-peak” and “off-peak” rates:

“On-peak” rate: From 2 – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday from June 1 to September 30, the electricity rate is higher than the “off-peak” rate price.

“Off-peak” rate: Customers pay a lower rate price for electricity used the other 19 hours each summer weekday (outside of “on-peak” times) and all weekend long.

With the Summer Rate, you can save money all summer long by reducing electricity use during the “on-peak” time, or shifting use to mornings, nights and weekends.

The Critical Peak Pricing Program is an additional program you can join to help reduce electricity use on days of high energy demand during the summer. On up to 14 Energy Savings Event days each summer, you agree to reduce or shift your energy use even more than normal from 2 – 6 p.m. (one hour less than the Summer Rate is in effect), and you earn an additional discount on your off-peak rate all summer long.

With both the Summer Rate and the Critical Peak Pricing Program, when you use energy is just as important as how much you use. Your actions can save you money AND help ensure a cleaner energy future for Michigan.

Simple Ways to Shift Electricity Use

Adjust Your Air Conditioning

In the morning, pre-cool your home at 2-3 degrees lower than normal. Then, just before 2 p.m., set your thermostat 3-5 degrees higher than normal. Or install a smart thermostat to help schedule changes for you.

Postpone Chores

Do the dishes and laundry before 2 p.m. or after 6 p.m., or wait until the weekend.

Use a Smart Plug

Plug electronic devices into a smart plug to prevent them from consuming more energy even when they’re off or in standby mode. Schedule your smart plug to turn off devices during event hours.

Enroll Now, Save All Summer Long

Reducing or shifting your electric use away from 2 – 6 p.m. on event days saves money and conserves energy during the most critical hours on the hottest days of the year. When you enroll, you earn a discount on your electric rate for the remaining 19 hours a day on weekdays and all weekend long during the summer.

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*Terms and Conditions