Nessel Wants DTE's 90% Rate Increase To Be Cut

LANSING, MI — A rate increase request by DTE Gas Co. that would see rates increase by 90 percent is excessive and unreasonable, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said Monday while urging the Michigan Public Service Commission to significantly cut the increase.

The attorney general made the request to the commission to keep natural gas services from one of the state's largest utilities affordable, she said.

“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.”

Nessel intervened in the company's filed rate case in February. The company requested a $195 million increase, which would represent a greater than 11 percent increase for residential customers, Nessel said.

Nessel argued the request is excessive and unreasonable in her testimony, which was filed on June 3. She said 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.