The Michigan Public Service Commission opened an investigation requested by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, on the supply and deliverability of natural gas, electricity, and propane in Michigan as well as contingency plans, according to a Feb. 7 press release.

• The investigation was prompted by a fire at Consumer EnergyCo.’s Ray natural gas compressor station. The independent investigation will assess circumstances leading to the fire that broke out at the facility on Jan. 30.
• Fire damage caused Consumers to stop the flow of natural gas from the station, which is the largest source of natural gas distribution in the state and supplies a large portion of COnsumers’ natural gas needs during the winter.
• Due to the cold weather, demand for natural gas was high at the time of the accident, forcing Consumers to arrange for alternative natural gas supplies and limit the use of the precious fuel for electricity generation in order to respond to demand for heating.
• As part of their wider infrastructure resilience investigation, regulators will be looking into existing methods for distribution, transmission and generation and identify areas or types of systems most at risk.
• The initial report is due by July 1.