LANSING – Michigan should not run low on power this summer, the Agency for Energy said in its annual forecast.
The agency said overall electric use should be down 2 percent compared to 2016, with residential use down 3.6 percent. But rates are up 2.5 percent, the report said.
Natural gas use should also be down, about 4.1 percent, with the warmer winter offsetting new industrial use.
Petroleum products, not regulated by the state, are seeing use increase, the report said. Overall, petroleum use was up 0.8 percent in 2015 from 2014, and prices are projected to be up 21 percent this year from 2016.
Motor fuel use is expected to increase 0.2 percent to 4.57 billion gallons for 2017, a slower growth pace from prior years. Prices, though, are expected to be 9 percent more than last year.
Use of distillates, including diesel fuel, is expected to fall 0.6 percent for the year. The report expected cost increases and the warmer winter reducing heating oil use would drive that shift.
This story was published by Gongwer News Service.
