In the midst of an affordability crisis, utilities in Michigan are proposing a over 9% rate hike to generate hundreds of millions more in profits at a time when their customers are struggling to pay their bills.
Michigan families deserve affordable, reliable electricity—not another round of excessive rate hikes. Add your name to urge the Michigan Public Service Commission to reject DTE's excessive rate increase and prioritize affordable, reliable energy for Michigan families.
To the Michigan Public Service Commission:
We urge the Michigan Public Service Commission to reject—or substantially reduce—DTE's proposed rate increase and ensure the company earns a fair, not excessive, return on equity.
This proposal represents the fifth rate hike from DTE in the last seven years, placing incredible pressure on everyday Michiganders to keep the lights on. The company’s over 9% hike proposal would increase the average electric bill by more than $130/year, forcing higher prices on DTE customers already paying for some of the least reliable electricity services in the country.
To make matters worse, DTE indicates that it will return to the MPSC next year for another rate hike, unless a new power supply contract is approved for a data center in its service region. It is inappropriate for affordable electric rates to depend on approval of a separate agreement for a large new data center. Michigan families deserve decisions based on what is in the public interest—not negotiating leverage.
The Commission should protect Michigan consumers by ensuring that large new energy users pay their own way, carefully reviewing utility spending, prioritizing cost-effective investments such as energy efficiency, and keeping customer affordability at the center of every decision. Please listen to Michigan residents and do all you can to hold utilities accountable and bring down energy costs in our communities.