Michigan OKs 9% natural gas rate hike for SEMCO customers

Michigan regulators have approved a 9.2% natural gas rate increase for 300,000 customers of SEMCO Energy Gas. The utility will use the nearly $20 million rate increase to replace gas mains and initiate an infrastructure reliability improvement program. The Port Huron-based company delivers natural gas to customers in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula and in parts of the Upper Peninsula. The Michigan Public Service Commission said Friday that a residential customer using an average amount of natural gas will pay $6.10 more per month.   (AP)