DETROIT – The public is being offered a chance to comment on DTE Energy’s request for a rate hike on Wednesday.
Earlier this year, DTE Energy requested approval for a rate hike. The utility wants a $456 million rate increase to reportedly improve reliability. A $456 million increase would cause the average bill to go up about $11 a month. If approved, the hike would begin in January 2025.
---> DTE Energy seeks major rate hike: What it could mean for your monthly bill
The request came less than four months after the Michigan Public Service Commission granted the company a $368 million annual rate increase. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel pushed back against the proposed rate hike in July.
“A deep dive into DTE’s latest electric rate case reveals a disturbing pattern of exaggerated projections and unsubstantiated projects that clearly prioritize corporate interests over customer benefits,” Nessel said in July. “DTE is once again seeking MPSC approval to bill its customers for corporate jet travel by executives on top of these inflated costs. Such exorbitant expenditures not only inflate customers’ bills but also undermine DTE’s corporate pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These unnecessary costs directly contribute to rising utility bills.”
DTE Energy said the funds would go toward improving reliability, reducing power outages, and cutting outage time in half by 2029. The company released the following statement in July:
“DTE Energy wants what’s best for our customers -- that means safe, reliable and affordable energy. We’re focused on improving reliability across our service territory -- reducing power outages by 30% and cutting outage time in half by 2029. This requires investments that will help us build a smarter, stronger and more resilient grid that will serve our customers for generations to come. We know that affordability is key for our customers, so as we invest, we’re committed to working as efficiently as possible, keeping residential bills below the national average and providing assistance to our most vulnerable customers.”
Here’s when the public meeting is
MPSC Chair Dan Scripps and Commissioners Katherine Peretick and Alessandra Carreon are holding a public hearing on DTE Energy’s request for a rate increase. They will be taking input from DTE Energy customers, DTE Energy, and other members of the public.
The meeting will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, at Mumford High School in Detroit. Public comments will be shared online and can be viewed at mi-psc.my.site.com.
- Date: Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024
- Time: 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
- Location: Mumford High School in Detroit