Court Opinion

ID: 2760147
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-12-12 12:08:08.963122+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:49:47.973235
License: Public Domain

STATE OF MICHIGAN

                         COURT OF APPEALS
________________________________________

In Re Application of MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED
GAS COMPANY to Increase Rates.

ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESSES                    UNPUBLISHED
ADVOCATING TARIFF EQUITY,                    December 11, 2014

            Appellant,

v                                            No. 316141
                                             MPSC
MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION,          LC No. 00-016999

            Appellee,

and

MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY,

            Petitioner-Appellee.

In re Application of MICHIGAN
CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY to Increase
Rates.

ATTORNEY GENERAL,

            Appellant,

v                                            No. 316263
                                             MPSC
MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION,          LC No. 00-016999

            Appellee,

and

MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY,

                                     -1-
              Petitioner-Appellee.

Before: RONAYNE KRAUSE, P.J., and K. F. KELLY and STEPHENS, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

       In these consolidated cases appellants Association of Businesses Advocating Tariff
Equity (ABATE) and the Attorney General appeal an order of the Michigan Public Service
Commission (PSC) approving the application by Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, n/k/a
DTE Gas Company (Mich Con), for an increase in rates.

                                     I. BACKGROUND

      These cases deal with the PSC’s decision to approve a surcharge mechanism fashioned
by Mich Con to recover the costs of programs approved by the PSC in prior cases.

        In Case No. U-15985, the PSC Staff submitted evidence regarding Mich Con’s gas main
system, a significant percentage of which was constructed of cast iron and unprotected steel.
The evidence showed that the system had numerous leaks and did not comply with applicable
safety standards. The PSC directed Mich Con to file a plan to renew the system and to reduce
the amount of cast iron in the system. Mich Con asserted that the high number of inside gas
meters contributed to the problem; therefore, the PSC directed Mich Con to file a plan to move
the meters to outside locations. The PSC directed Mich Con to include proposals for financing
the programs and recovering the costs in its next general rate case.

        In Case No. U-16407, Mich Con filed an application setting out a proposed 10-year main
renewal program (MRP). Mich Con proposed “a ten-year program to replace and retire
distribution mains, renew associated service lines, and relocate associated inside meters.” Mich
Con projected an annual capital expenditure of $17.1 million for the MRP. Mich Con proposed
to finance the MRP with funds set aside for capital spending, and indicated that if expenses
exceeded the amount set aside it would file a general rate case proposing methods to generate
additional capital. The PSC adopted Mich Con’s proposal.

       In Case No. U-16451, Mich Con filed an application setting out a proposed long-term
meter move-out (MMO) program in compliance with the PSC’s order in Case No. U-15985. The
PSC found that the MMO proposal as stated met the requirements of the order, and directed
Mich Con to include a proposal for cost recovery for the MMO program in Mich Con’s next rate
case.

                II. UNDERLYING PROCEEDINGS IN THE INSTANT CASE

       Mich Con filed an application “requesting authority to increase rates, amend its rate
schedules, obtain approval of certain accounting matters and modify certain terms and conditions
of providing natural gas services.” Mich Con sought recovery of its investment in the MMO and
MRP programs and for capital associated with Pipeline Integrity (PI) through an Infrastructure
Recovery Mechanism (IRM).

                                              -2-
       During the pendency of this case the PSC approved a partial settlement agreement. The
order authorized a rate increase for Mich Con totaling $19.9 million and resolved other issues;
however, the issue of Mich Con’s proposed IRM was not settled.

           The PSC issued an order approving the application. Regarding the IRM, the PSC stated
in part:

                  The parties dispute whether the IRM constitutes an automatic adjustment
           clause prohibited under MCL 460.6a(2). Mich Con and the Staff contend that
           because the annual surcharges are approved in this fully contested proceeding,
           and because the surcharges can only be reduced in the future if the company
           underspends, then no additional hearings are required. Conversely, the Attorney
           General argues that the IRM surcharges will increase by an unknown amount
           every year and that interested parties are denied a meaningful opportunity to be
           heard before these increases take effect. The ALJ agreed with the Attorney
           General.

                   The Commission generally agrees that when rate adjustments occur
           outside of a general rate case, caution must be exercised both to protect the public
           interest and to avoid running afoul of Section 6a(2). Thus, for the great majority
           of trackers that the Commission has approved, the annual reconciliations have
           been conducted as contested cases, whether the outcome was expected to result in
           a surcharge or a refund to customers.

                   The Court of Appeals’ decisions concerning automatic adjustment clauses,
           cited by the company and the Staff, involved instances where rates would increase
           and where the Court affirmed the implementation of an adjustment mechanism
           provided that a limited purpose hearing was conducted before any rate increase
           occurred. However, the parties cite no authority to support their claim that if rates
           can only decrease, no additional hearings are required. While the Court has made
           clear that at least a limited purpose hearing is necessary if rates go up, Section
           6a(2) does not specify whether notice and a hearing is only required in the case of
           a rate increase; the section only references the prohibition of “automatic
           adjustment clauses,” without distinguishing whether the adjustment is up or
           down. Therefore, the Commission finds that notice and a hearing should be
           provided annually to permit an examination of Mich Con’s March 31 reports on
           the MMO, the MRP, and the PI. The hearing shall be limited to reviewing the
           work performed, including an assessment of the appropriateness of the costs
           assigned to the various IRM programs, and recommending any downward
           adjustment to the surcharge in the event the company underspends on the various
           gas safety programs.

                                                  ***

                  The Attorney General and ABATE argue that the IRM violates the
           provision under Section 6a(1), which states: “A utility may use projected costs
           and revenues for a future consecutive 12-month period in developing its requested

                                                   -3-
       rates and charges.” According to them, the IRM uses costs and revenues
       projected beyond the test year used for base rates and as such cannot be approved.
       The Commission disagrees. As Mich Con pointed out, the IRM surcharges are
       based on the 2013 test year capital expenditures totaling $77.4 million for the
       MMO, MRP, and PI programs. These expenditures will not change and the
       surcharges approved in this proceeding will not be revised unless the company
       underspends.

       The PSC approved the IRM and reconciliation proceedings for the MRP, MMO, and PI
programs as modified.

                                  III. STANDARD OF REVIEW

        The standard of review for PSC orders is narrow and well defined. Pursuant to MCL
462.25, all rates, fares, charges, classification and joint rates, regulations, practices, and services
prescribed by the PSC are presumed, prima facie, to be lawful and reasonable. Michigan Consol
Gas Co v Pub Serv Comm, 389 Mich. 624, 635-636; 209 NW2d 210 (1973). A party aggrieved
by an order of the PSC has the burden of proving by clear and satisfactory evidence that the
order is unlawful or unreasonable. MCL 462.26(8). To establish that a PSC order is unlawful,
the appellant must show that the PSC failed to follow a mandatory statute or abused its discretion
in the exercise of its judgment. In re MCI Telecom Complaint, 460 Mich. 396, 427; 596 NW2d
164 (1999). An order is unreasonable if it is not supported by the evidence. Associated Truck
Lines, Inc v Pub Serv Comm, 377 Mich. 259, 279; 140 NW2d 515 (1966).

       A final order of the PSC must be authorized by law and be supported by competent,
material, and substantial evidence on the whole record. Const 1963, art 6, § 28; Attorney
General v Pub Serv Comm, 165 Mich. App. 230, 235; 418 NW2d 660 (1987).

        We give due deference to the PSC’s administrative expertise, and we do not substitute
our judgment for that of the PSC. Attorney General v Pub Serv Comm No 2, 237 Mich. App. 82,
88; 602 NW2d 225 (1999). We give respectful consideration to the PSC’s construction of a
statute that the PSC is empowered to execute, and we will not overrule that construction absent
cogent reasons. If the language of a statute is vague or obscure, the PSC’s construction serves as
an aid to determining the legislative intent, and will be given weight if it does not conflict with
the language of the statute or the purpose of the Legislature. However, the construction given to
a statute by the PSC is not binding upon us. In re Complaint of Rovas Against SBC Michigan,
482 Mich. 90, 103-109; 754 NW2d 259 (2008). Whether the PSC exceeded the scope of its
authority is a question of law that we review de novo. In re Complaint of Pelland Against
Ameritech Michigan, 254 Mich. App. 675, 682; 658 NW2d 849 (2003).

        The primary goal of statutory interpretation is to ascertain and give effect to the intent of
the Legislature. Frankenmuth Mut Ins Co v Marlette Homes, Inc, 456 Mich. 511, 515; 573
NW2d 611 (1998). If the plain and ordinary meaning of statutory language is clear, judicial
construction is neither necessary nor permitted. Cherry Growers, Inc v Agricultural Mktg &
Bargaining Bd, 240 Mich. App. 153, 166; 610 NW2d 613 (2000). We review de novo issues of
statutory interpretation and application. Coblentz v Novi, 475 Mich. 558, 567; 719 NW2d 73
(2006).

                                                 -4-
                                         IV. ANALYSIS

        On appeal, appellants ABATE and the Attorney General argue that the PSC has only that
authority granted to it by the Legislature, and that the implementation of an IRM is not
authorized by any statute. Appellants assert that the PSC must use the traditional ratemaking
process, including the consecutive 12-month test year required by MCL 460.6a(1), to permit
Mich Con to recover capital expenditures for the MMO, the MRP, and the PI programs. The
PSC did not do so; therefore, its order is unlawful. We disagree.

       MCL 460.6a(1) provides in pertinent part:

       A gas or electric utility shall not increase its rates and charges or alter, change, or
       amend any rate or rate schedules, the effect of which will be to increase the cost
       of services to its customers, without first receiving commission approval as
       provided in this section. The utility shall place in evidence facts relied upon to
       support the utility’s petition or application to increase its rates and charges, or to
       alter, change, or amend any rate or rate schedules. The commission shall require
       notice to be given to all interested parties within the service area to be affected,
       and all interested parties shall have a reasonable opportunity for a full and
       complete hearing. A utility may use projected costs and revenues for a future
       consecutive 12-month period in developing its requested rates and charges.

        This statute gives the PSC broad authority to regulate rates for public utilities. This
authority does not include the power to make management decisions for a public utility.
Consumers Power Co v Pub Serv Comm, 460 Mich. 148, 157-158; 596 NW2d 126 (1999); Union
Carbide Corp v Pub Serv Comm, 431 Mich. 135, 148-150; 428 NW2d 322 (1988). These cases
do not stand for the proposition that the PSC lacks discretion to approve a cost recovery
mechanism absent statutory authority for the creation of that specific mechanism. See, e.g.,
Great Wolf Lodge v Pub Serv Comm, 489 Mich. 27, 42-43; 799 NW2d 155 (2011) (authority to
award interest not authorized by statute, but lawful under MCL 460.6(1)).1

        The PSC is not required to use any particular formula when setting rates. Residential
Ratepayer Consortium v Pub Serv Comm, 239 Mich. App. 1, 6; 607 NW2d 391 (1999). We have
repeatedly approved the use of a tracker mechanism, i.e., a mechanism that adjusts future rates in
light of actual past costs. See In re Applications of Detroit Edison Co, 296 Mich. App. 101, 112-
114; 817 NW2d 630 (2012) (and cases cited therein). The IRM is such a tracker mechanism.
The IRM is designed to allow Mich Con to recover capital expenditures made for the MMO, the
MRP, and the PI programs.

1
  The Attorney General cites no applicable authority in support of its assertion that the PSC
lacked the authority to approve the IRM because no Michigan Supreme Court decision has
affirmed the PSC’s power in that regard. An appellant cannot simply announce a position and
then leave it to this Court to locate authority to support that position. Bronson Methodist Hosp v
Michigan Assigned Claims Facility, 298 Mich. App. 192, 199; 826 NW2d 197 (2012).

                                                -5-
      We hold that the PSC did not err by approving the IRM, and that the PSC’s order is not
unlawful or unreasonable in this regard.

       Next, ABATE argues that the IRM violates MCL 460.6a(2) and constitutes an unlawful
adjustment clause because it does not provide for a full and complete hearing prior to an
adjustment in the rates. We disagree.

       MCL 460.6a(2) provides in pertinent part:

       (2) The commission shall adopt rules and procedures for the filing, investigation,
       and hearing of petitions or applications to increase or decrease utility rates and
       charges as the commission finds necessary or appropriate to enable it to reach a
       final decision with respect to petitions or applications within a period of 12
       months from the filing of the complete petitions or applications. The commission
       shall not authorize or approve adjustment clauses that operate without notice and
       an opportunity for a full and complete hearing, and all such clauses shall be
       abolished. . . . As used in this section:

       (a) “Full and complete hearing” means a hearing that provides interested parties a
       reasonable opportunity to present and cross-examine evidence and present
       arguments relevant to the specific element or elements of the request that are the
       subject of the hearing.

        The PSC acknowledged that if rate adjustments occurred outside the context of a general
rate case, caution was required so that MCL 460.6a(2) was not violated. The PSC found that
there was no statutory requirement that a hearing under MCL 460.6a(2) must be held if a rate
could only be adjusted downward. Nevertheless, the PSC ordered that an annual hearing be held
to examine Mich Con’s report on its work during the previous year.

       The amount of the IRM surcharge for the 2013 test year and beyond was established
during the contested case hearing. These surcharges cannot increase, but the surcharges can
decrease if Mich Con spends less than the sum anticipated on the MMO, the MRP, and the PI
programs.

        ABATE contends that the “full and complete hearing” required by MCL 460.6a(2) is
essentially a contested case hearing like that defined in MCL 24.203(3).2 ABATE asserts that
the type of proceeding ordered by the PSC does not allow parties to cross-examine the evidence
or present argument “relevant to the specific element or elements of the request that is the subject
of the hearing, all in violation of MCL 460.6a(2).” However, the annual hearing ordered by the
PSC must include notice and the filing of a report by Mich Con. The hearing as described by the
PSC would be “limited to reviewing the work performed, including an assessment of the
appropriateness of the costs assigned to the various IRM programs, and recommending any

2
  MCL 24.203(3) defines “contested case” as “a proceeding, including rate-making, price-fixing,
and licensing, in which a determination of the legal rights, duties, or privileges of a named party
is required by law to be made by an agency after an opportunity for an evidentiary hearing.”

                                                -6-
downward adjustment to the surcharge in the event the company underspends on the various gas
safety programs.” This description of the hearing required by the PSC order affords the parties
the opportunity to cross-examine the evidence, i.e., Mich Con’s report detailing the work
performed in the various programs, to argue whether Mich Con’s spending on that work was
appropriate, and to argue for or against a downward adjustment to the IRM surcharge. Thus the
hearing process set out by the PSC meets the definition of a “full and complete hearing” in MCL
460.6a(2)(a).

       Next, ABATE argues that the PSC violated MCL 24.285 by failing to make sufficient
findings of fact and conclusions of law; the PSC failed to explain why it approved expenditures
that were outside the test year, and also failed to explain why the hearing procedure it established
was authorized by law since it did not permit the parties to have a full and complete hearing. We
disagree.

       MCL 24.285 states in pertinent part:

       A final decision or order of an agency in a contested case shall be made, within a
       reasonable period, in writing or stated in the record and shall include findings of
       fact and conclusions of law[.] . . . Findings of fact shall be based exclusively on
       the evidence and on matters officially noticed. Findings of fact, if set forth in
       statutory language, shall be accompanied by a concise and explicit statement of
       the underlying facts supporting them. . . . Each conclusion of law shall be
       supported by authority or reasoned opinion. A decision or order shall not be
       made except upon consideration of the record as a whole or a portion of the
       record as may be cited by any party to the proceeding and as supported by and in
       accordance with the competent, material, and substantial evidence.

The PSC’s order must contain sufficient information to permit meaningful appellate review.
Viculin v Dep’t of Civil Serv, 386 Mich. 375, 405; 192 NW2d 449 (1971).

        ABATE argues that the PSC failed to explain decisions that ABATE contends are
erroneous. However, the PSC set out its explanation of why it determined that establishment of
the IRM surcharge schedule did not violate MCL 460.6a(2) and what kind of annual hearing
would be necessary. The PSC’s opinion contains sufficient detail to permit meaningful appellate
review, and thus does not violate MCL 24.285. See ABATE v Pub Serv Comm, 205 Mich. App.
383, 394; 522 NW2d 140 (1994). ABATE disagrees with the PSC’s findings of fact and
conclusions of law regarding the test year and the annual hearing, but ABATE has not
established that these findings and conclusions are insufficient to be reviewed and thus violate
MCL 24.285.

                                       V. CONCLUSION

      Neither appellant has raised an argument that warrants relief. The PSC’s order is not
unlawful or unreasonable.

                                                -7-
Affirmed.

                  /s/ Amy Ronayne Krause
                  /s/ Kirsten Frank Kelly
                  /s/ Cynthia Diane Stephens

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