LANSING ? Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel?s advocacy in DTE Electric?s latest rate case has helped save utility customers $254 million.? It is the latest in a string of successes for the Attorney General and her team, as just last year she helped save DTE?s customers almost $360 million.?

Today, December 1, 2023, the Michigan Public Service Commission authorized DTE Electric Company to implement a $368 million rate increase effective December 15, 2023, which is 40% lower than the company?s originally filed rate increase request of $622 million.? DTE Electric filed the rate increase case in mid-February, requesting increased customer rates for numerous projects. Under DTE?s proposal, residential customers would have seen an increase of approximately 14%-19%.????

In response, Attorney General Nessel issued the following statement:?

?When this case was filed, I noted that it was the largest requested increase my office has ever seen and that my team would review it with a fine-tooth comb to make sure customer interests are protected. That is exactly what we did, and today?s Commission order validates the extensive work my office did in an attempt to limit any rate increase to reflect reasonable expenditures.? ?

?While I am pleased the Commission limited the increase, I recognize that $368 million is still a tremendous rate increase and is too high for many ratepayers especially right before the holidays.? I will remain a vocal proponent for the interests of utility customers and urge the Legislature to pass measures compelling DTE to demonstrate this money is being utilized to ensure more reliable service and not to enrich its shareholders.?

?In this case, I also requested that the Commission adopt strong metrics and benchmarks to hold DTE accountable for poor electric reliability. ?I am disappointed that this was not adopted, and I hope the Commission adopts these metrics in its currently pending workgroup.?Failing that, I hope the Legislature will intervene and adopt these metrics through the legislative process.??

Since taking office, Attorney General Nessel has helped save Michigan ratepayers more than $2.4 billion, including another $2 million savings in July of this year and over $100 million in savings in the DTE IRP case that same month. ?

The U-21297 docket and filings can be viewed here.?