Lansing, MI - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel urged the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to significantly cut a rate increase request from DTE Gas Co. as part of her work to keep natural gas services from one of the state's largest utilities affordable.
In February, the Attorney General intervened in the company’s filed rate case as an advocate for the utility’s natural gas customers across the state. The company requested a $195 million increase, which would represent a greater than 11% increase for residential customers.
In her testimony, filed June 3, Nessel argued the request is excessive and unreasonable. Instead, Nessel asserted DTE should receive no more than a $19 million annual increase and should distribute those costs so that all customers are paying their fair share. Her testimony seeks to provide DTE with necessary funding for infrastructure upgrades, while making sure that any rate increase remains moderate for all customers.
“Michiganders have been through a lot over the past year-plus, and I want to help make sure ratepayers are not blindsided by large increases in utility bills just when we are starting to see signs of returning to normalcy,” Nessel said. “While I certainly appreciate utility commitments to improve natural gas infrastructure in the state to ensure that our natural gas supply is safe and reliable, unnecessary and excessive expenditures must be avoided. My testimony in this case appropriately balances those concerns and offers a reasonable resolution for all ratepayers.”
Since taking office, the Attorney General has saved Michigan consumers more than $1 billion by intervening in utility cases before the MPSC. This latest testimony reaffirms her commitment to affordable energy for consumers.
DTE provides natural gas to 1.3 million customers across the state and electricity to approximately 2.2 million customers in Southeast Michigan.