Council sets second hearing for electric-rate ordinance adding Energy Waste Reduction fees (Ordinance 13-16)

The Escanaba City Council on Dec. 4 conducted the first reading of Ordinance 13-16, which would add energy-waste-reduction (EWR) charges to electric rates and scheduled a second-reading public hearing for Dec. 18, 2025, at 7 p.m.

Administration and utility staff described EWR as a state-required program to provide customer rebates and efficiency incentives. Staff said the program will be administered by Franklin Energy and will include rebates for Energy Star lighting and efficient HVAC upgrades, with commercial measures for lighting and variable-frequency drives depending on business size.

Staff explained how the charge was calculated from the city’s average energy sales over the prior three years and presented proposed per-kilowatt-hour amounts: $0.00351 per kWh for residential customers and $0.00206 per kWh for commercial and large-power customers. The charge will appear as a separate line item on customers’ electric bills and the program is expected to be available beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Council members asked about how residents could find eligibility information; staff said program details and eligibility will be posted on the city website and promoted via social media and the Escanaba app, and that printed materials could be available at the utility window.

A motion to set the second hearing on Dec. 18 passed by roll call as recorded in the meeting transcript. The ordinance’s rates and program details will be subject to public hearing at that date.