Regulators want tree-trimming fixes post-ice storm

LANSING, Mich. (AP) Michigan regulators on Friday demanded that one of the state's biggest utilities, Consumers Energy, make tree trimming a bigger priority to prevent the sort of widespread and lengthy power outages caused by last winter's ice storm.

The state Public Service Commission, in concluding an investigation into the December outages, said it was "unacceptable" for the Jackson-based utility to spend $16 million less trimming trees in 2013 than had been approved by regulators, the lowest amount since 2008. It said Michigan's other major utility, DTE Electric, had shown a "strong commitment" to keeping up with tree trimming.

The panel said it will work with Consumers Energy, Detroit-based DTE Electric and local governments to expand successful pilot programs and to pass ordinances addressing hazardous trees located outside the utilities' rights of way. It also encouraged the adoption of special fees so towns can move some lines underground or trim trees outside utilities' planned maintenance schedules.

MSPC Chairman John Quackenbush said the large utilities responded appropriately in many ways, but "there are opportunities for improvement." The commission's staff said tree maintenance is the most effective way to avoid outages and to limit their duration.

The pre-Christmas ice storm knocked out or disrupted service to roughly 650,000 Consumers Energy and DTE customers statewide. Scores of tree branches broke and fell from the weight of ice during the storm.

Among regulators' findings:

Consumers Energy should have called for more help from in-state and out-of-state crews before the storm arrived and earlier in the process of restoring electricity.

Both utilities must communicate more with customers about the importance of tree removal.

Customers trying to reach their utility encountered too many blocked calls or had to wait too long. Consumers Energy specifically was ordered to report by Aug. 15 on improvements to handle increased call volumes.

The utilities and the AFL-CIO should meet to consider the union's recommendation for an audit on the adequacy of staffing levels.

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Regulators want tree-trimming fixes post-ice storm