Michigan Public Service Commission approves nearly $9M rate hike for DTE

DTE Gas will increase rates by $8,974,000, down from the $85.1 million requested initially, with the approval of the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC).

DTE is expected to increase infrastructure investments, accelerate the removal of interior gas meters and increase funding for low-income assistance and self-sufficiency programs. DTE had lowered its original hopes down to $38.1 million following the implementation of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act introduced last year, but the MPSC declined to grant more than 9 percent of the original request.

As a result, residential customers using an average of 10,000 cubic feet of natural gas per month can expect a monthly increase of 95 cents starting in October. Residential customers in need of financial help will also benefit from $1.4 million in increased residential income assistance and low-income assistance credits programs.

The MPSC also approved hundreds of millions of dollars in spending between now and 2023 to replace high-risk cast iron and bare steel underground lines which are used to deliver natural gas. DTE will have to replace up to 206 miles of such lines annually and is expected to complete the effort in 2035. As for the meter removal, DTE is scheduled to replace nearly 300,000 by the end of 2023.