As Michigan legislators mull the state's energy future, utilities are funneling cash into the debate through a variety of methods, according to MLive.com.

Overall, the $1.6 million spent on lobbying this year includes more than $500,000 in donations, $300,000 in lobbying and $800,000 spent by a utility-backed non-profit. The group, Citizens for Michigan's Energy Future, has purchased ads warning against deregulation and possible energy shortfalls.

While the group doesn't disclose donors, MLive reports the Sunlight Foundation unearthed links to utilities. Consumers Energy subsequently confirmed its support for the group in a statement.

"Consumers Energy supports efforts and progress in the state Legislature to enact Michigan-first energy policy that promotes fairness, affordability and reliability. That inclu

des use of shareholder dollars to support the Citizens for Michigan's Energy Future, which advocates on behalf of these principles. Consumers Energy does not use ratepayer dollars for this activity," the statement read.

The Michigan Campaign Finance Network (CFN) did the heavy lifting on the campaign contribution figures, and went a little deeper to examine individual utility donations, the bulk of which came from two providers. From Nov. 24, 2014, through Oct. 20, 2015, DTE Energy donated almost $270,000, while Consumers Energy gave $144,000.

CFN said the political contributions went to officeholders' candidate campaign committees, their leadership's political action committees (PAC), and the legislatives caucuses' PACs.

Last week, the Michigan House Energy Policy Committee passed two amendments to energy legislation, including a 30% renewables goal by 2025 and a compromise which would keep the state's energy choice law at 10%. The renewables goal is voluntary; the energy choice decision takes a softer stance on retail providers' gaurantees they can serve customers, and marked a significant compromise.

Michigan's choice law has caused problems for the state. The law allows up to 10% of a utility's customers to take service from third party suppliers. Utilities would prefer a return to total regulation, saying if choice customers suddenly returned, they could not guarantee service to them. In response, Gov. Rick Snyder (R) proposed maintaining the cap, but requiring alternative suppliers to guarantee they can provide service for five years.