Sears
Sears, MI · Business
My UP Now
MPSC approves SEMCO rate increase
HOUGHTON, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) — Customers of SEMCO Energy Gas Co. will see natural gas rate increases beginning in 2027 after the Michigan Public Service Commission approved a settlement agreement aimed at funding pipeline upgrades and other infrastructure improvements. The agreement authorizes a $33 million rate increase, significantly less than the more than $61 million originally requested by SEMCO. The utility serves approximately 300,000 customers across the Upper Peninsula and parts of southern Lower Michigan.According to the company, the vast majority of the requested increase is tied to capital investments, including continued replacement of aging natural gas infrastructure and support for the Keweenaw Connector Pipeline project in the western Upper Peninsula. The pipeline is intended to improve reliability and provide additional redundancy for the U.P.'s natural gas system.The approved rates will fund SEMCO's gas main replacement program through 2031, including plans to replace roughly 37 miles of aging plastic and steel pipeline each year. The company will also continue its infrastructure reliability improvement program during that period.For a typical residential customer using 10 dekatherms of natural gas per month, bills are expected to increase by about $2.80 per month, or 3.16%, beginning Jan. 1, 2027. An additional infrastructure surcharge will add
wheninyourstate.com
Michigan is gaining 90 jobs from a $3.7 million headquarters move
Methode Electronics Inc. has relocated its headquarters and principal office presence from Chicago to Southfield, Michigan. Announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on October 6, 2026, the project involves a $3.7 million capital investment and plans to create at least 90 new jobs in Oakland County. The move establishes a new...
13 ON YOUR SIDE
Rate increases for Consumers Energy customers in Michigan approved, 4.3% increase
WOOD TV8
Whitmer declares state of energy emergency
thesuntimesnews.com
WCC Launches Maritime Welding Program
Washtenaw Community College will add a maritime certificate to its Welding Technology program thanks to a new Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity-Workforce Development grant. Photo credit: J.D. Scott. Washtenaw Community College (WCC) will launch a new maritime welding program to help train workers for the high-demand maritime, shipbuilding,...