Michigan lawmakers propose letting voters choose utility regulators
A group of state lawmakers wants to infuse a heavy dose of populism into regulating utilities and ensuring consumers have reliable, affordable gas and electric service by making the statewide ballot even longer by adding elections for the Michigan Public Service Commission.
A package of legislation rolled out this week calls for amending the Michigan Constitution to have voters select the members of the Public Service Commission. Right now, the three commission members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. There has to be at least one member of both major political parties. The legislation would also expand the commission to five members.
This package is a response to complaints about rate hikes and the PSC’s handling of permits for data centers, solar panel and wind farms in rural areas, and extended gas and electric outages.
“The goal of the proposal is to give Michigan residents a direct voice in who serves on that commission,” state Representative Reggie Miller (D-Van Buren Township) told Rick. “They make important decisions about utility rates, data centers, large-scale projects, infrastructure, and they want representation, not appointed positions. This is what residents have told me.”
https://www.michiganpublic.org/politics-government/2026-03-06/michigan-lawmakers-propose-letting-voters-choose-utility-regulators