The following Michigan utilities filed notices of intent to participate and included meter counts:

Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association, Bay City Electric Light & Power, Chelsea Electric Department, Cherryland Electric Cooperative, City of Marshall Electric Department, City of Negaunee Electric Department, City of Norway Electric Department, City of Petoskey, City of St. Louis, Consumers Energy Company, DTE Electric Company, Hillsdale Board of Public Works, Indiana Michigan Power Company, Lowell Light and Power, Newberry Water & Light Board, Niles Utility Department, Northern States Power Company, Presque Isle Electric and Gas Co-op, Thumb Electric Cooperative, Union City, Village of Baraga, and Village of Clinton.

(The City of Croswell, Bayfield Electric Cooperative, and HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative (which had previously indicated their intent to opt in) filed elections to opt out.)

Today's order directs all utilities that have opted-out of the collection of the surcharge not to shut off service to any residential customer from Nov. 1 through April 15, 2014, for nonpayment of a delinquent account.

Ah yes, the force of government in action.

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.