The Michigan Public Service Commission would like to provide clarification to your Oct. 2 editorial “Power play.” Your editorial questioned whether the selection of three public relations consultants in connection with the energy competition customer education campaign required by Public Act 141 of 2000 was done in a manner that advantages the major electric utilities. In fact, the selection of the consultants was done under the auspices of the CHOICE Advisory Council. It is my understanding the 24 members of the council representing residential, commercial and industrial customers, energy suppliers and utility companies concurred with the education campaign’s contents.

The council recommended and the commission agreed to appoint a subcommittee of the council to oversee and administer all educational program activities. Subcommittee members will include representatives of AARP Michigan, Small Business Association of Michigan, Michigan Manufacturers Association, Michigan Community Action Agency Association, Michigan attorney general’s office, Michigan Electric and Gas Association, Michigan Electric Cooperative Association, Detroit Edison Co., Consumers Energy, Nordic Energy and commission staff. The council and subcommittee approved the hiring of the three public relations consultants to implement the consumer education program on energy choice.

The commission believes the selection of vendors pursuant to the recommendations of the council and subcommittee was done in a manner designed to accomplish the educational objectives of retail open access, and to meet the requirements of Public Act 141 of 2000.

Greg R. White
executive adviser to Michigan Public Service Commissioner Robert B. Nelson