By Liz Nass
Gongwer News Service
Attorney General Dana Nessel reaffirmed her plan to intervene in all major rate cases before the Public Service Commission , including another gas rate increase request from DTE.
DTE received a rate increase last November for $113 million.
The size of the request is unknown as the formal application has not yet been filed. The last rate increase was nearly 10%.
“Michigan families should not be treated like an endless ATM, and I will fight – just like I always have – to make sure ratepayers are not forced to shoulder unfair and excessive prices, but at some point, we have to ask when these repeated requests from DTE and Consumers Energy will end or, at the very least, when these requests will begin to reflect any ounce of respect for their ratepayers,” Nessel said in a statement. “Every single time we see these two massive, for-profit companies drag their customers before the Public Service Commission begging permission to squeeze them for more money, the review from my office and experts reveals millions of dollars in unsupported costs. In these cases, we’ve succeeded in making sure utility customers in this state don’t unfairly pay for corporate incentive programs, wasteful and inefficient spending, and even the costs of private jet travel for corporate officeholders.”
Nessel criticized the way DTE and Consumers Energy spends the money from their rate hikes, including private jet travel for executive staff and “unsupported expenditures.”
The utilities, however, say the rate increases go toward improving the system.
The release also said Nessel has saved nearly $4 billion by intervening in other utility cases.
Ryan Lowry, spokesperson for DTE, said the planned request filing in November would not go into effect until next September, keeping base rates the same until then if the increase was approved.
“(The notice) indicates DTE Gas’ intent to file an investment request with the MPSC within the next 60 days – investments that will allow the company to continue to modernize its infrastructure and safely serve its customers across Michigan with the reliable natural gas service they expect and deserve,” Lowry said in a statement to Gongwer News Service.
Gongwer News Service
Attorney General Dana Nessel reaffirmed her plan to intervene in all major rate cases before the Public Service Commission , including another gas rate increase request from DTE.
DTE received a rate increase last November for $113 million.
The size of the request is unknown as the formal application has not yet been filed. The last rate increase was nearly 10%.
“Michigan families should not be treated like an endless ATM, and I will fight – just like I always have – to make sure ratepayers are not forced to shoulder unfair and excessive prices, but at some point, we have to ask when these repeated requests from DTE and Consumers Energy will end or, at the very least, when these requests will begin to reflect any ounce of respect for their ratepayers,” Nessel said in a statement. “Every single time we see these two massive, for-profit companies drag their customers before the Public Service Commission begging permission to squeeze them for more money, the review from my office and experts reveals millions of dollars in unsupported costs. In these cases, we’ve succeeded in making sure utility customers in this state don’t unfairly pay for corporate incentive programs, wasteful and inefficient spending, and even the costs of private jet travel for corporate officeholders.”
Nessel criticized the way DTE and Consumers Energy spends the money from their rate hikes, including private jet travel for executive staff and “unsupported expenditures.”
The utilities, however, say the rate increases go toward improving the system.
The release also said Nessel has saved nearly $4 billion by intervening in other utility cases.
Ryan Lowry, spokesperson for DTE, said the planned request filing in November would not go into effect until next September, keeping base rates the same until then if the increase was approved.
“(The notice) indicates DTE Gas’ intent to file an investment request with the MPSC within the next 60 days – investments that will allow the company to continue to modernize its infrastructure and safely serve its customers across Michigan with the reliable natural gas service they expect and deserve,” Lowry said in a statement to Gongwer News Service.
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