ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich., April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- State Senator Mike Nofs, (R) Battle Creek, is misinformed in his belief that proposed legislation to allow raising the 10% cap on electric competition would hurt Michigan residents. The exact opposite is true. According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, the citizens of Michigan currently pay the highest electric rates in the Midwest. Prior to opening Michigan's electric system to competition in 2000, Michigan's electric rates were above the national average. From 2000 to 2008, when competition was allowed, Michigan's rates dropped below the national average. Since 2008, when the utilities were returned to monopoly status, rates have again risen above the national average.

While Sen. Nofs is saying he opposes having Michigan open to all companies who wish to grow and provide service here, DTE is busy providing electric service to Ohio at rates lower than it offers their Michigan customers right across the border (source article: (http://tinyurl.com/blk6m4z). It begs the question; how can DTE argue against competition in Michigan while selling electricity in competitive markets like Ohio?

Glacial Energy—a Michigan licensed alternative electric supplier (AES)—has recently launched a retail electricity program targeting residential customers in the DTE and Consumers Energy service territories. Glacial Energy encourages Senator Nofs and other opponents of the proposed legislation to take another look at the facts and the real benefits of the legislation, reconsider their opposition, raise the cap on electric competition, and let Michigan customers shop for lower energy prices that can be readily available in the market.

Glacial Energy is one of the fastest growing national retail energy suppliers in the United States, currently supplying electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in deregulated states throughout the country. The first 5,000 residential customers in Michigan who sign up, will receive their first month of electricity free once they become Glacial Energy Customers. Visit www.switchtoglacial.com for more information on switching to Glacial Energy as your alternative electric supplier.

SOURCE Glacial Energy