Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has played a significant role in reducing DTE Electric's proposed rate hike, resulting in savings of nearly $240 million for customers. The Michigan Public Service Commission approved a rate increase that allows DTE to collect an additional $217.38 million from ratepayers starting February. This approved amount is 52% less than the original request of $456.4 million.

DTE Electric initially filed for the rate increase in March 2024, seeking a 10% rise in residential electricity rates. In her testimony, Nessel argued for a cap at $139.5 million, which would represent about a 2.5% increase. The final decision by the Commission reflects approximately a 5% increase for residential customers and excludes expenses like private corporate jet travel and $39 million in shareholder incentives.

Nessel commented on the situation: “This case was filed immediately after DTE received approval from the Commission for a staggering $368 million annual rate increase." She noted that combined with this latest approval, DTE has secured nearly $600 million in additional revenue within just over a year. While acknowledging her team's efforts to save over $500 million for customers during this period, she expressed concern about the ongoing frequency and scale of these increases.

Since assuming office, Nessel claims to have saved Michigan ratepayers more than $3.4 billion. Last year alone, she reportedly saved DTE gas customers over $150 million and is currently reviewing several other requests before the Commission, including one from Consumers Energy proposing an annual gas rate hike of $248 million.