LANSING, December 20.  The Michigan Public Service Commission today 
approved revised retail open access service tariffs for The Detroit Edison 
Company and Consumers Energy Company.   Today's Commission action establishes 
the rates, terms, and conditions under which retail customers of the two 
electric utility companies will be permitted to choose an alternative 
electric supplier.  The retail open access service tariffs will take effect 
January 1, 2002.  The Commission approved these revised tariffs under 
authorization of the Customer Choice and Electricity Reliability Act of 2000.  
Under the Act, all Detroit Edison and Consumers Energy customers will have 
the opportunity to select an alternative electric supplier beginning January 1,
2002.  The Commission previously approved retail open access tariffs for both 
Detroit Edison and Consumers Energy.  The current tariffs will be replaced by 
today's approved tariffs. 

     "The Commission has now set the ground rules for competition in retail 
electric markets, and we fully expect our action today to spur competition in 
those markets," said Chairman Laura Chappelle.

     Detroit Edison, headquartered in Detroit, provides electric service to 
about 2.1 million customers in Michigan.  Consumers Energy, headquartered in 
Jackson, provides electric service to about 1.7 million customers throughout 
Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

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


Cases Nos. U-12488, U-12489
December 20, 2001
(MPSC approves Retail Open Access Service tariffs for Detroit Edison and 
Consumers Energy)