Consumers Energy will expand its “Gas Customer Choice” retailprogram this April to 100,000 customers state-wide in Michigan,following a one-year pilot that allowed 500 customers in Bay Countyto pick another natural gas supplier. In all, 300,000 customerswill be given a choice of suppliers over the next three years.

So far 14 marketing companies have indicated that they will viefor customers, says Consumers. They will be competing against arate of $2.8364/Mcf to be offered by Consumers Energy, which willbe frozen for three years for all customers who stay on the system.Customers who switch suppliers can either receive one consolidatedbill from Consumers for sales and transmission service, or separatebills from Consumers and the supplier.

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