Detroit Evening Report: DTE Energy is requesting another rate increase, this time for $456M
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DTE Headquarters in downtown Detroit.
DTE Energy is requesting an electric rate increase from the Michigan Public Service Commission, saying it needs $456 million to improve the infrastructure and service for customers.
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If approved, residents could see an average increase on their bills of about $11 per month.
Read: DTE Energy’s Jerry Norcia talks rate increase, plans to improve power grid
The utility company says one of the improvements would be installing devices that can more accurately pinpoint the locations of outages and cut power to downed lines, reducing the length of outages and possible fatal injuries. The extra funds would also allow the company to fix the oldest parts of the grid — and in some instances rebuilding substations from scratch.
“We have a vast system — it’s aging, and the weather is getting worse and we have a lot of work to do to upgrade it,” DTE Electric president and COO Matt Paul told reporters at a roundtable discussion on Wednesday.
Customers will see the change in their bills starting January 2025 if the MPSC approves the rate increase.
DTE Energy’s request comes after the MPSC approved a $368 million increase in December.
More headlines for March 28, 2024:
- Michigan lawmakers are considering whether to change the way residents renew their annual state parks pass. The pass grants vehicle access to 103 state parks like Belle Isle.
- Detroit’s Planning and Development Department is seeking resident input on the Brightmoor Framework Plan. The focus group will share information about existing city parks projects, a stormwater park, and the connected parks network.
- Residents can apply for the Home Heating Credit Assistance benefit from DTE Energy. The credit will be used to help offset the cost of winter heating bills for the 2023 tax year.
- Detroit’s Alley Clean Up Program is celebrating 3,000 alleys cleared of brush and trash since it launched in 2020. The program has removed 90,000 tons of debris in an effort to significantly reduce blight in the city.
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