Opinion
Docket No. 45092.
Decided September 21, 1981. Leave to appeal applied for.
Dickinson, Wright, McKean, Cudlip Moon (by Peter S. Sheldon and Gregory L. McClelland), for plaintiff.
Frank J. Kelley, Attorney General, Robert A. Derengoski, Solicitor General, and Arthur E. D'Hondt and John M. Konwinski, Assistants Attorney General, for the Public Service Commission.
C.C. Nern, R. Larry Drake, and Fisher, Franklin, Ford, Simon Hogg (by George Hogg, Jr., and Francis E. Bentley), for the Detroit Edison Company.
The precise issue raised on appeal is whether the Ingham County Circuit Court has the power to grant a refund to a consumer upon a determination that the Michigan Public Service Commission has established an unreasonable or unlawful utility rate.
Plaintiff-appellant Pennwalt Corporation and defendant-appellee Detroit Edison Company entered into an agreement requiring Edison to supply Pennwalt with industrial steam and electrical service. Pursuant to the agreement, the rates charged by Edison have been periodically increased, with the necessary approval of the defendant Michigan Public Service Commission.
In 1975, Edison filed an application for authority to again increase its rates to Pennwalt. In 1976, the commission ordered the rates increased by a lesser amount than requested. Both Pennwalt and Edison filed actions in the Ingham County Circuit Court, seeking review of the rate increase pursuant to MCL 462.26; MSA 22.45. The actions were consolidated by the trial court.
In 1978, the commission granted two subsequent requests for rate increases to Edison. Thereafter, Edison filed a motion for summary judgment based upon GCR 1963, 117.2(3), asserting that the 1978 rate increases rendered moot the actions challenging the 1976 rate increase.
On May 30, 1979, the trial court granted summary judgment to Edison on the ground that the subsequent rate increases rendered the actions moot, in view of the fact that no remedy was available.
On appeal, Pennwalt contends that the trial court erred in holding that it was without authority to grant a refund upon a finding that the rates were unreasonable or unlawful. We agree.
MCL 462.26(a); MSA 22.45(a) is controlling. It states, in pertinent part:
"Any common carrier or other party in interest, being dissatisfied with any order of the commission fixing any rate * * * may * * * commence an action in the circuit court in chancery for the county of Ingham * * *. All suits brought under this section shall have precedence over any civil cause of a different nature pending in such court, * * * and the same shall proceed, be tried and determined as other chancery suits. * * * and the said circuit court in chancery is hereby given jurisdiction of such suits and empowered to affirm, vacate or set aside the order of the commission in whole or in part, and to make such other order or decree as the court shall decide to be in accordance with the facts and the law." (Emphasis added.)
The statute is clear and unambiguous on its face, requiring no construction. Michigan Consolidated Gas Co v Public Service Comm, 389 Mich. 624, 635; 209 N.W.2d 210 (1973). In scrutinizing the statute, we find no impediment to a judicially authorized refund. On the contrary, the statute allows the court to fashion an equitable remedy. Id., 631. Therefore, upon a finding that the rates charged were unreasonable or unlawful, the Ingham County Circuit Court has the authority to order the excess payments refunded to the consumer. Northwestern Bell Telephone Co v State of Minnesota, 299 Minn. 1; 216 N.W.2d 841 (1974), Williams v Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Comm, 134 US App DC 342; 415 F.2d 922 (1968), Mountain States Telephone Telegraph Co v Public Utilities Comm, 180 Colo. 74; 502 P.2d 945 (1972). But see, Foshee v General Telephone Co, 295 Ala. 70 ; 322 So.2d 715 (1975).
Other cases cited by Edison are not applicable in that they interpret statutes which expressly prohibit refunds, cf. Keco Industries, Inc v Cincinnati Suburban Bell Telephone Co, 166 Ohio St. 254; 141 N.E.2d 465 (1957), or involve untimely appeals, cf. Straube v Bowling Green Gas Co, 360 Mo 132; 227 S.W.2d 666 (1950).
Edison argues that a judicially authorized refund constitutes retroactive rate-making, which is prohibited by the holding of Michigan Bell Telephone Co v Public Service Comm, 315 Mich. 533; 24 N.W.2d 200 (1946). It is true that rate-making is a quasi-legislative function, which is prospective only. However, this rule is not applicable to the case before us. A judicially mandated refund is the result of statutorily authorized review of the commission's orders and does not constitute retroactive rate-making. Mountain States Telephone Telegraph Co, supra, 81-82; Mountain States Telephone Telegraph Co v Arizona Corp Comm, 124 Ariz. 433, 436 (Ariz. App, 1979).
Finally, Edison urges us to hold that Pennwalt is precluded from receiving a refund because of its failure to seek an injunction in the trial court. Michigan's statutory scheme allows an aggrieved party to seek an injunction staying an order of the commission pending the outcome of appeal. MCL 462.26(b); MSA 22.45(b). Michigan Consolidated Gas Co, supra, 640. The statute is permissive only. There is no requirement that an injunction be sought as a condition of full judicial review. Mountain States Telephone Telegraph Co v Public Utilities Comm, supra, 82. Although an injunction may be the best method of preserving the rights of the parties, this Court will not expand the clear language of the statute to require an injunction prior to ordering a refund.
In view of our holding that a refund may be ordered by the trial court in appropriate cases, this case is not rendered moot by the subsequent rate increases.
Reversed and remanded for consideration on the merits. No costs, a public question being involved.