BY: ALLISON R. DONAHUE – NOVEMBER 21, 2022 12:18 PM, MICHIGAN ADVANCE
The Michigan Public Service Commission authorized last week DTE Electric Co. to implement a $30.6 million rate increase effective Friday — but that’s significantly less than the company’s original request.
In January, DTE Electric filed an application seeking a $388 million rate increase, but opponents in Southeast Michigan fought back against a hefty price increase on their bills. The panel approved the smaller increase on Friday, Nov. 18.
“This is great news and goes to show what happens when people stand together and push back against this kind of corporate greed,” said Ken Whittaker of the Defend Black Voters coalition, a group aimed at holding DTE Energy and Consumers Energy accountable. “The commissioners could have rubber stamped yet another price hike, but they chose to protect the ratepayers they were meant to serve. This time, the MPSC listened to us and we’re glad they made the right decision.”