How Electric Rates are Set

Michigan Energy Rates

We work to provide reliable, safe and economical energy services and offer a variety of rates to serve your unique needs. The electric services we deliver are regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC).

What Costs are Included in Rates

Generally speaking, rates are divided into three parts:

  1. Major investments that generate and deliver energy, including power plants and electric distribution (poles and wires). This includes upgrades to stay current with environmental regulations.
  2. Operating expenses, including fuel for power plants (such as oil and natural gas), the cost of electricity we purchase from the energy market and activities related to maintenance, repair, service and billing.
  3. Michigan energy programs that support areas such as energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Your Bill - Section by Section


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This area shows an account that is enrolled in AUTO PAY and the AUTO PAY amount being transferred to UPPCO from the established bank account.

If you would like to enroll in Auto Pay, click the words “LOG IN” at the top of this page to launch the customer portal.

Auto Pay is a free service provided for your convenience.

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This area shows your historical month by month energy usage.

More information about your usage history is available on the customer portal. To access, click the words “LOG IN” at the top of this page to view within your Customer Portal Account.

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This area shows how many days of service your current bill covers.

The information shows how many Kilowatt Hours (kWh) you used.

The information also provides you with an average amount of kWh per day used.

More details about your current billing month are available on the back of the bill.

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This area shows the Budget Billing Summary

Budget Billing is a stable payment plan available to UPPCO customers that allows you to pay an average amount that stays the same monthly. UPPCO reviews your usage at 6 and 9 months to determine if your budget amount should be adjusted.

With budget billing, you can avoid “highs and lows” in your bills throughout the year caused by seasonal changes in how much energy you use.

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This area shows the Budget Billing Balance

The difference between the actual bill charges and your established Budget Bill amount each month is maintained as a deferred balance.

If your deferred balance is lower than your budget billing projection, your account receives a credit.

If your deferred balance is higher than your budget billing projection, your account will be charged the difference.

UPPCO customer service works with every Budget Billing Customer to come as close to “break-even” as possible.

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This Account Summary area shows the amount of your last bill and indicates if a payment(s) was received.

A Past Due Amount will show if your last payment did not cover the full amount and the balance on your account not including the current bill.

The Payment Received line shows any payments made during the billing period. As well, if a customer makes two or more payments within a billing period, they are added together and reflected on this line.

Note: This customer has enrolled in Auto Pay since their last bill. Normally, those who are enrolled in Auto Pay would not have a ‘Past Due’ amount showing on their bill.

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This Account Summary area shows:

  • The amount of your current charge for energy used in the current bill period.
  • The TOTAL amount owed combines any past due amount with your current charge.
  • If you have a late payment charge, reconnection charge or other miscellaneous charges or credits they will appear here.
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Important information regarding your bill is displayed here

  • Messages regarding plans or programs you have your account enrolled in
  • Seasonal messages
  • Required regulatory messages
Note: This customer has enrolled in Auto Pay since their last bill. Normally, those who are enrolled in Auto Pay would not have a ‘Past Due’ amount showing on their bill.
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This area shows additional detailed power usage data from your electric meter

Rate Description:
Shows how your property is classified for rate charges. The determination of your rate class is included in the MPSC (Michigan Public Service Commission) Rate Book. Access the Rate Book in the Services and Rates section of this website.

Meter Number:
Shows the meter number which matches the meter at your property.

Start Date/End Date Read:
Shows the billing time period with beginning and ending reads which calculates your monthly kWh used.

Kilowatt Hours (kWh)
Shows total kilowatt hours consumed for the start date/end date read period.

Next Meter Read Date
Shows your next scheduled meter reading.

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This area shows a breakdown of charges associated with energy distribution.

Service Charge:
A monthly “per day fee” that occurs regardless of any power that you have consumed. This charge covers the cost of using the “energy highway” between UPPCO and power supply sources (the grid and hydroelectric facilities).

Energy Charge:
This charge covers the cost of distribution of power to your location. It includes substation and line maintenance costs.

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This area shows your charge for “Electricity Only”

Energy Charge Does not include any distribution or maintenance fees, just the power alone.

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Shows your Michigan Energy Efficiency Charge

This is the cost of UPPCO’s Energy Waste Reduction (EWR) program. This program offers rebate incentives on energy saving products and services. Learn more at www.efficiencyunited.com

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Shows Power Supply Cost Recovery Charges (PSCR)

UPPCO buys the majority of the power our customers use on the open market at the lowest possible cost. PSCR charges represent the increase or decrease in UPPCO’s actual power supply costs versus what was forecasted at the beginning of any operating year.

This area can reflect a credit or a charge based on UPPCO service area maintenance and upgrade needs.

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Shows charges for the Low Income Energy Assistance Fund (LIEAF)

UPPCO supports the Michigan Public Service Commission’s LIEAF program to provide energy assistance and self-sufficiency services to low-income households in Michigan. Apply for assistance at www.michigan.gov/MIBridges or call 211 for more information on available assistance.

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This area is a glossary of common bill terms

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Reading Your Meter

The reading in the example below is 94838:

Reading your electric meter is straightforward. For mechanical meters, the dials, which look like little clocks, alternately run clockwise and counterclockwise. Reading from left to right, write down the last number the needle has passed. If the needle is between two numbers, UPPCO will use the lower of the two numbers. When the needle is between a 9 and 0, the 9 is used. As an example, the correct reading concerning the dials above is 94838.* The difference between the new reading and the previous reading is your monthly energy use.

*Dial 4 is still read as a 3 despite the needle being on 4 because the dial to its right has not passed 0.

Residential Digital Meters

UPPCO digital meters will scroll through a number of different screens while operating. Your energy consumption will appear as five or six digits on the screen. Ignore any screens that contain all 0s and all 8s.

UPPCO will only estimate your energy usage if unable to receive communication from your smart meter and/or is unable to access your smart meter or non-standard meter. If you have questions about this, contact Customer Service at (906) 449-2013.

 

Advanced Metering and the Smart Energy Initiative

UPPCO's Smart Energy program launched in 2018. We're working to improve reliability and deliver enhanced customer service. To learn more about the Smart Energy Initiative, smart meters and what it means for you, visit the Smart Energy page.

Billing Information and Services - Frequently Asked Questions

More helpful information and Frequently Asked Questions to help you understand your bill and to customize how you manage your transactions with UPPCO.

Trouble Shooting - Clearing Web Browser Cookies/Cache

You may find that in order for some of the functions within your Online Customer Account to work properly, you will need to clear the cookies and cache of your web browser. Learn how to clear the cookies in your web browser.

Glossary of Billing Terms

The terms that are used on your bill are explained in more detail here:

e-Bill Paperless Billing & Payment Frequently Asked Questions

e-Bill Paperless Billing is an electronic billing and payment option that eliminates your paper bill altogether.

Automatic Payment Frequently Asked Questions

Auto-pay is a great way to have your energy bill paid automatically every month.

Budget Billing Frequently Asked Questions

With Budget Billing, we review your past energy use, estimate your total energy costs over the next year and then simply bill you for 1/12 each month.

Kubra EZ-Pay Frequently Asked Questions

With Kubra EZ-Pay, you can pay your UPPCO bill with your credit card, pinless debit card or checking account.

Start-Stop Service Frequently Asked Questions

For questions you may have regarding starting, stopping or transferring service.

Summary Billing Frequently Asked Questions

Summary Billing is a free service that consolidates all your accounts into one summarized monthly bill with one due date.