North Michigan News

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has approved a rate increase for DTE Energy, authorizing the company to raise customer rates by $368 million, a 6.4% increase. This decision has drawn criticism from State Rep. Ken Borton, who expressed concern over the speed at which the rate hike was approved following the signing of the state's new energy package by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Borton, a Republican representing Gaylord, voiced his disapproval, stating, "The governor's appointed bureaucrats didn't even let her signature dry before helping utility companies pass increased renewable energy costs onto customers." He further criticized the policy, noting the financial burden it would place on everyday people, particularly during the holiday season when families are already dealing with high costs due to inflation.

In response to the rate increase, DTE Energy explained that it was necessary to comply with the state's existing clean energy goals, which are considerably smaller than the new clean energy mandates introduced by the Democrats. The recently signed "100% clean energy" laws aim to phase out natural gas power plants by requiring expensive and impractical technology while shifting towards wind and solar energy. However, these renewable sources are considered to be less reliable than natural gas.

The new energy package also repealed a rate cap, allowing utilities to pass on the full expenses of implementing green energy initiatives to ratepayers. This move has raised concerns among critics, who argue that it will further burden consumers with additional costs.

The decision by the MPSC to approve the rate increase has sparked a debate between those who support the state's efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources and those who believe that the financial impact on consumers should be taken into consideration.

As this issue continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the rate increase will affect Michigan residents and whether further adjustments will be made to alleviate the financial strain on consumers.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://gophouse.org/posts/rep-borton-mpsc-approves-rate-hikes-less-than-a-week-after-governor-signs-energy-package