Exhibit 16 - Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP to the Securities and Exchange - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commission - ---------- [Arthur Andersen LLP Letterhead] May 2, 2002 Office of the Chief Accountant Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Avenue Washington, DC 20549 Dear Sir/Madam: We have read Item 4 included in the Form 8-K dated May 2, 2002 of SEMCO Energy, Inc. to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are in agreement with the statements contained therein. Very truly yours, /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP cc: John E. Schneider, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer