DTE Energy says customers can expect lower natural gas bills this winter
DTE Energy recently said that its natural gas customers could expect to spend 7.5 percent less through the November-March heating season as compared to the same period last year, due to lower natural gas costs and tax credits.
“Customers are going to save this winter because DTE has been able to keep its cost for natural gas down through our buying strategy, and what we pay is what customers pay,” Dan Brudzynski, vice president of Gas Sales and Supply at DTE Energy, said. “By purchasing gas throughout the year and storing it until now when customers need it, we’ve been able to take advantage of lower prices and lock those savings in.”
DTE will return federal tax savings to its customers through a usage-based credit. Under the plan, which the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved, customers will receive credits in the first half of 2019 based on monthly usage from the first half of 2018.
“DTE is committed to returning 100 percent of its tax savings back to customers, and this credit will benefit customers by lowering their monthly bills when their gas usage is at its peak,” Brudzynski said.
The National Weather Service and DTE’s internal meteorologist are also forecasting that this winter will be slightly warmer than last year.
“Weather is one of the primary factors that influences monthly bills for customers,” Brudzynski said. “As the weather gets colder, usage increases, and that makes bills go up.”
DTE has also launched a webpage with energy efficiency tips, billing information and winter safety information to help customers manage their usage and monthly bills over the winter.
The company is launching a statewide campaign during the fall and winter to educate customers on how to manage their heating costs.
