LANSING, October 14.  "A key factor in consumer protection is
assuring a truly competitive market, free of anti-competitive abuses,"
concluded a Michigan Public Service Commission staff report.  The MPSC
staff report, "Electric Restructuring - Customer Focus Issues and
Recommendations" was filed with the Commission yesterday.  The report
follows the Commission's June 5, 1997 order in which it opened the state's
electric utility market to competition and directed staff, in consultation
with interested parties, to review existing billing practices and available
sources of customer information and report to the Commission on any
needed changes in billing practices or new customer information programs.

     The report contains a discussion of customer protection
recommendations including: supplier and aggregator licensing; rights of
privacy; low income protection; and universal service. It proposes one
consolidated set of billing and service quality rules for the electric
industry, which would apply as appropriate to all residential, commercial
and industrial customers.   The report includes a proposed Electric Consumer
Bill of Rights to be used as a foundation for guaranteeing consumer
protections for all electric customers.  The staff report supports the need
for new legislation addressing supplier and aggregator licensing to protect
Michigan consumers while avoiding lengthy or complicated application
processes for suppliers and aggregators.  The report concludes with a
proposed consumer education and information program developed in
response to numerous public requests for the Commission to coordinate a
public outreach program.  

     A copy of the 52 page report may be obtained by calling the MPSC
at (517) 334-6436 or by accessing the MPSC Web Site at:
http://www.cis.state.mi.us/mpsc/       

     The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Consumer and
Industry Services.

Case No. U-11290
October 14, 1997
(MPSC Staff report on Electric Restructuring - Customer Focus Issues and
Recommendations)