MI Attorney General to Intervene In DTE Energy Rate Increase Request

Michigan Attorney General Nessel is calling out DTE Energy over its recent rate hike request.

The energy company filed the request with the Michigan Public Service Commission, asking for the approval of a $456 million increase, which would raise the average consumer’s electric bill by about $11 a month. The request was made only four months after the commission approved a $368 million electrical rate increase to DTE.

Company officials say the increased funds would help modernize the grid, cutting down power outages by 30 percent and reducing outage restoration times in half by installing devices to more accurately and quickly pinpoint those outages.

Nessel calls the timing of the request “obnoxious,” following on the heels of the previous request so soon. She says utility companies in Michigan often make the requests with without implementing any corresponding accountability or reliability metrics and measures. She has filed a motion to intervene in the application.