The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved on Thursday a $113.8 million rate increase for DTE Gas Company, rather than the $266 million hike originally asked for. This will affect the average customer by a $2 monthly increase on their utility bill.
Along with the rate hike, the MPSC also approved a capped version of the “Infrastructure Recovery Mechanism” surcharge. Starting at 66 cents per month, rates will increase annually until 2029, reaching $6.28.
Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office and other parties were successfully able to work with the Commissioners to “slash DTE’s requested rate hike by more than half…” and save millions of dollars for customers by accurately reviewing this rate case proposal.
Read more about these rate increases here.
Along with this 57% reduction from DTE’s original request, the Commission will also require additional steps towards reducing emissions and costs. The Commission will for the first time require a gas utility to consider warming temperatures, electrification, emissions reductions, and declining gas usage in planning future investments.
The new order also includes using the State’s Environmental Justice Screening Tool when making future rate plans.
Follow along with the rest of the story here.
Troposphere Legal represented the Michigan Environmental Council, Sierra Club, Citizens Utility Board, Natural Resources Defense Council in the case.