Michigan Attorney General Intervenes In DTE Rate Increase Request

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is intervening an a DTE Energy rate hike request.

In March, 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 thouse outages. Nessel has called the timing of the request obnoxious, following on the heels of the previous request so soon. Nessel has filed testimony with the commission, arguing DTE should receive no more than a $139.5 million annual increase, limiting any residential ratepayer increase to around 2.5%.

Nessel also recommends re-prioritizing customer dollars toward vegetation management and tree trimming, activities proven to be more effective at reducing outages compared to more expensive, capital-intensive options preferred by DTE.