Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced her intervention in DTE Electric's latest rate case before the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). The utility company is seeking an annual increase of over $450 million, which would take effect in January 2025 if approved. This request follows a recent rate hike of $368 million, impacting residential customers by at least $100 annually. In total, DTE aims to raise its rates by more than $800 million within 13 months.

Attorney General Nessel regularly intervenes in utility rate increase requests and has dedicated significant resources to analyzing these proposals. Her efforts have reportedly saved customers billions, but she warns that such frequent and substantial rate cases could lead to unsustainable electric bills.

Details of DTE's latest request are still emerging, but Nessel plans to scrutinize the filing closely. She aims to ensure that any additional costs imposed on consumers are justified with tangible benefits. Past challenges from the Attorney General have seen DTE struggle to justify its demands or explain them adequately to the MPSC.

"This latest rate hike request from DTE is, frankly, absurd in both the astounding dollars and obnoxious timing—requesting yet another $450 million not even four months since their last rate hike was approved," said Nessel. "DTE is following their usual playbook, incessant and oppressive rate hike requests not grounded in reality, but rather based on the financial aspirations of their corporate shareholders."

Nessel has helped save Michigan ratepayers over $3 billion since taking office. She recently criticized DTE's 5-year Distribution Plan for lacking utility accountability.