Michiganders will use less gasoline and electricity this summer, that's according to the Michigan Public Service Commission.
The state utility regulatory agency issued its annual Summer Energy Appraisal today.
Judy Palnau is the agency’s spokeswoman. She says there are a couple reasons why the public service commission expects gasoline sales will decline about 2 percent this summer in Michigan.
“Part of that is a economy. But part of that is we are also driving more energy efficient vehicles,” says Palnau.
Palnau says the economy is also a reason why they expect electricity use will dip slightly this summer.
“Our sluggish economy is still a factor in decreasing use of electricity,” says Palnau, though the MPSC expects residential electric use will increase.
The MPSC study also predicts natural gas sales will decline nearly 5 percent this summer. A mild winter drove down demand among both business and residential natural gas customers.