Quick question for the group. Working with a manufacturing client in Grand Rapids who's been incorrectly billed by Consumers Energy for power factor penalties. The penalties shouldn't have applied based on their actual power factor readings, but CE has been charging them for about 5 years. Anyone know Michigan's statute of limitations for utility billing errors? CE customer service says they can only go back 2 years but that seems short.
Consumers Energy - Michigan statute of limitations?
Tina, I haven't worked in Michigan but the pattern is similar across most states. Check Michigan Public Service Commission rules - usually found in admin code sections. Most states allow 3-6 years for utility billing errors, longer than what utilities claim in their customer service scripts. Power factor calculation errors are clearly utility mistakes, not customer issues.
I dealt with something similar with Appalachian Power here in West Virginia. They initially said 18 months but WV PSC rules actually allow 4 years for billing adjustments. File a complaint with Michigan PSC if Consumers won't cooperate. Power factor penalties are easy to verify - either the readings justify the penalty or they don't.