CONSUMERS ENERGY

Scammers are going door to door looking for unsuspecting victims, looking for a quick picture of your utility bill with one fundamental goal in mind.

A $95 million rate hike was approved for Consumers Energy this week, which means residential customers will be paying a bit more starting this fall.

As of 4:15 p.m. on Aug. 25, more than 29,000 DTE Energy customers are still in the dark, according to the company’s power outage map.

Hundreds of thousands of DTE Energy customers were without power Friday after severe storms moved through Thursday night for the second night in a row.

Consumers Energy is going to stop accepting debit and credit cards for auto pay accounts.

Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day.

Consumers Energy wants to explore the possible sale of its 13 hydroelectric dams as the Michigan utility evaluates their future and cost efficiency.

Thousands were without power in Southeast Michigan on Wednesday as storms moved through the area.

Tens of thousands of DTE Energy customers remained without power early Friday morning after storms blew through Southeast Michigan on Thursday.

Thousands of scattered power outages were reported Sunday into Monday morning after strong storms moved through Southeast Michigan.

Starting June 1, DTE and Consumers Energy have a summer rate increase depending on the time of day.

Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day.

Starting June 1, DTE and Consumers Energy have a summer rate increase depending on the time of day.

Southeast Michigan is facing the potential for flooding, damaging winds, hail and even strong tornados.

Michigan residents who lose power for an extended period of time will get a larger credit from their utility company moving forward, according to newly approved changes from the Michigan Public Service Commission.

After hundreds of thousands of customers spent days and even more than a week without power over the past month, it was time to face the music for DTE Energy and Consumers Energy.

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners have directed the County Administrator to explore alternatives to the area's existing privately-owned public utilities.

Experts say changing and increasingly severe weather patterns and an electrical infrastructure designed for a different time and climate can be blamed for power outages that left more than 800,000 Michigan homes and businesses in the dark over several days.

A bill proposed by a Michigan lawmaker would force utility companies like DTE Energy and Consumers Energy to pay customers for every single hour of power outages.

Frustration and anger are mounting among some Michigan utility customers who are still waiting for power to be restored after a massive ice storm this week damaged electricity lines.

There are steps you can take to prepare for power outages during the winter and stay warm and safe.

A dangerous pre-Christmas storm is approaching Michigan and the storm has the potential to cause power outages.

Consumers Energy is reporting 122,000 customers across the state are without power due to high winds.

Part of South Boulevard, a road on the border of Troy and Rochester Hills, is closed Monday due to a gas main break.

The Michigan Public Service Commission ordered an audit of the state’s biggest utility companies in response to lengthy power outages and downed power line incidents this summer.

Authorities have allowed evacuated residents to return to a Kalamazoo neighborhood after a fire in a ruptured gas line was extinguished.

Severe weather moved through Southeast Michigan on Monday night, leaving tens of thousands of people without power, still, as on Wednesday.

Severe weather moved through Southeast Michigan on Monday afternoon, with some scattered power outages being reported in the area.

The company said they’re waiting for the severe weather to leave the state after thunderstorms and heavy gusts of wind caused over 84,000 homes and businesses to lose power Wednesday afternoon.

Dangerous heat and severe weather in Southeast Michigan has knocked out power to thousands in the region.

Consumers Energy announced today its agreements to add 300 megawatts of clean energy, enough to power 150,000 homes, from two Michigan solar projects being developed in Genesee and Hillsdale counties.

A report by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the nonprofit organization that oversees our power grid, said Michigan could be facing power shortages in July and August.

A report by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the nonprofit organization that oversees our power grid, said Michigan could be facing power shortages in July and August.

Rain and thunderstorms are expected to move through Southeast Michigan on Sunday afternoon and into the nighttime hours, and those storms could pose some hazards.

A question is hovering over the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy such as wind and solar: What happens when the wind doesn't blow or the sun doesn't shine.

A wind advisory is in effect through Thursday afternoon in Metro Detroit, with gusts of up to 50 mph possible, bringing the possibility of power outages.

Consumers Energy recently named Tonya Berry as their new Senior Vice President of Transformation and Engineering.

There is a crater in a Livingston County field after a natural gas line ruptured on Wednesday.

A natural gas pipeline exploded Wednesday in Livingston County, shutting down US 23 and scattering debris across the area, police said.

Strong winds moved through Southeast Michigan on Saturday, knocking out power for thousands of residents across the area.

Strong winds are once again blowing through Southeast Michigan on Thursday, triggering some power outages.

Strong winds moved through Southeast Michigan on Saturday, knocking out power for thousands of residents across the area.

Following severe winds that caused tens of thousands of power outages across Michigan Saturday, utility company Consumers Energy says power should be restored to most by the end of Monday.

Construction has been stalled on Adams Road between Square Lake and Long Lake roads and the county is calling out the contractor that was hired to do the job.

Heavy rain and winds moved through southeastern Michigan on Wednesday as part of a weather event that has left thousands without power.

Storms rolling into Southeast Michigan causing power outages in the region.

Storms are rolling through Southeast Michigan on Monday afternoon, causing some power outages in the area.

Storms that rolled through Southeast Michigan Tuesday night triggered power outages across the region.

Thousands of people were without power, some for several days, after severe weather moved through Metro Detroit.

Consumers Energy has reached an agreement to purchase electricity from a solar energy project planned for the site of a former golf course in northwestern Michigan.

Here are tonight's top stories.

Eva Fullwood has plenty saved for retirement, but she keeps working because she enjoys the mental stimulation and companionship among her coworkers.

The Michigan Public Service Commission approved an order Wednesday to collect data on electric companies' response and preparedness after over 1 million residents were left without power due to storms earlier in August.

More than 30,000 DTE Energy customers were without power Wednesday morning after a small band of storms rolled through overnight.

Michigan residents who have been affected by expansive power outages this month are being asked to share feedback with the state.

Michigan residents who were affected by expansive power outages this month are being asked to share feedback with the state.

After another massive power outage event in Michigan this month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is calling on the state’s utilities to help families and to take action to prevent future events.

Nearly 13,000 DTE Energy customers are still without power Tuesday morning following last week’s severe storms.

Following severe weather that triggered power outages for hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents, the state’s attorney general is calling on two major utility companies to credit affected customers.

Nearly one million Michigan households were without power Thursday after severe storms blew through the Midwest.

Consumers Energy said it expects to have power restored to 300,000 customers by Friday night following severe weather this week.

DTE Energy and Consumers Energy crews have been working to restore power to the region. Both companies estimate restoration work completed by the end of the weekend.

Storms are moving through Southeast Michigan on Wednesday afternoon, with more expected overnight into Thursday morning.

Nearly one million Michigan households were without power Thursday after severe storms blew through the Midwest.

Here’s what you missed on Local 4 News at 4:

More than 800,000 Michigan households were in the dark on Thursday morning after multiple rounds of severe storms blew through the Lower Peninsula over the last two days.

Storms that rolled through much of Western and Central Michigan overnight on Wednesday knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of Consumers Energy customers.

A diver has died while inspecting a dam in southwestern Michigan.

“Two condos have been completely obliterated. Unfortunately, there is one deceased male,” said Warren Fire commissioner Wilbert McAdams. “We found the owner in the basement.”

Authorities in Warren are dealing with the aftermath of a suspected house explosion Sunday evening.

Storms are moving through southeastern Michigan causing power outages across the region.

Storms were moving through southeastern Michigan on Sunday evening.

Rainy, windy weather moving across southeast Michigan Friday appears to be causing power outages throughout the region.

Part of Oakland Mall was evacuated on Monday due to a gas leak, Consumers Energy confirmed.

The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office has lifted a shelter-in-place recommendation for residents of Monarch Drive near 22 Mile Road in Macomb Township following a gas line break in the area.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan regulators on Thursday approved a $100 million electric rate hike for Consumers Energy, authorizing the state’s second-largest utility to bill the average residential customer about $9 more per month starting in January. The increase for residents is nearly 12% after factoring in other allowed adjustments, the Public Service Commission said. The order also lets the utility spend more to trim trees to reduce power outages. Consumers has about 1.8 million power customers, behind only DTE Energy. “Consumers Energy is taking actions to improve our response to storms, clear more trees and limbs from power lines, and invest in new infrastructure,” spokeswoman Katie Carey said.

DETROIT – Power outages piled up Sunday night in southeast Michigan due to damaging wind gusts. We are tracking the DTE Energy power outages in southeastern Michigan right here. READ: Intense wind brings down trees, causes mass power outages across Metro DetroitAs of 9 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16, DTE reported 65,000 customers remain without power. The company said 90 percent of customers would have their power restored by the end of Tuesday. Current DTE outages:As of 9 p.m. Monday, DTE Energy reported about 65,000 customers were without power.

LIVONIA, Mich. – Consumers Energy responded to a gas leak at 27719 7 Mile Road in Livonia on Monday evening. Livonia police say there is, “no current danger.” Police did shut down 7 Mile Road at Deering Street, but as of 5:22 p.m. the road is back open. READ: More local news

DETROIT – High winds blowing through southeast Michigan Sunday are causing power outages throughout the region. Wind advisories are in effect for 11 SE Michigan counties on Sunday afternoon. You can check the DTE outage map here. More than 80 DTE crews are working to restore power to DTE Energy customers. Report an outage to DTE here.

He said, ‘You know, you’re huffing and puffing. Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s what to know todayOver the next week, Florka’s symptoms worsened, so he went to the hospital. They’re ripping my clothes off, scrubbing me down.”He spent the next 44 days in the hospital battling COVID-19. Let my wife know to collect my pension,’ you know. I’m going to the ventilator.

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A house explosion in Commerce Township injured two people early Thursday morning. We sent the entire fire department here to put the fire out,” said Commerce Township Fire Chief Jim Dundas. “We had two victims taken to local hospitals.”Commerce township house explosion (WDIV)It’s not known what caused the explosion, although Consumers Energy had technicians at the scene. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office also had a fire investigator at the scene working to determine the cause. More: Commerce Township news

FRANKLIN, Mich. – A gas leak along Franklin Road has prompted evacuations at businesses and residences Tuesday morning. Police are calling the leak “major” and are asking drivers to avoid downtown Franklin Road for the next few hours. The road is shut down. Stay with Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit for more information as it becomes available.

DETROIT Heavy rain and thunderstorms Sunday caused power outages throughout southeast Michigan. As of 11:30 p.m. Sunday, the storms had impacted a total of 2,136 customers, according to the company. You can check the DTE outage map here. More than 40 DTE crews are working quickly to restore power to customers. Read: Flash Flood Watch in effect for some Michigan counties until Sunday afternoonReport an outage to DTE here.

DETROIT Power outages are possible in southeastern Michigan on Sunday as there is potential for strong to severe storms in the region. DTE Energy says scattered thunderstorms and high winds are causing power outages throughout southeast Michigan. You can check the DTE outage map here. As of 1:39 p.m. on Sunday, approximately 40,400 DTE Energy customers were without power due to severe weather. Oakland and St. Clair counties are currently experiencing the most power outages.

FRASER, Mich. Firefighters are investigating the cause of a building collapse on Saturday on Frasers east side. Half of a building has collapsed on Groesbeck Highway near 14 Mile Road. Officials from Consumers Energy say they conducted an investigation and the collapse was not caused by a gas explosion. This is an ongoing investigation. MORE: Local News

DETROIT DTE Energy announced Thursday that electric rates will remain unchanged until 2022 amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Michigan Public Service Commission (MSPC) approved a regulatory plan on Thursday that will maintain current electric rates for DTE customers. These approved plans will enable DTE to meet our commitment to clean, affordable renewable energy while, at the same time, keeping rates stable for our customers.The news comes after the MSPC previously approved a $188.3 million rate increase for DTE -- a 4.7 percent rate increase for DTE customers -- in early May. DTE is Michigans largest renewable energy producer and, when these projects are complete, the company will generate enough clean energy to power 620,000 homes.Officials say the company will invest an addition $2 billion in renewable energy assets over the next four years. Consumers Energy also requested a rate increase of $244 million just ahead of the pandemic in February, which would result in a 14 percent increase for customers.

DETROIT Power outages are possible in southeastern Michigan on Friday and Saturday as there is potential for severe storms in the region. DTE Energy and Consumers Energy are preparing for potential strong winds that could down trees and topple power lines. You can check the DTE outage map here. We will be tracking the outages right here. Report an outage to Consumers Energy here.

DETROIT – Thousands of people in Michigan are without power Thursday after severe storms swept through the state on Wednesday. Here are the latest DTE Energy and Consumers Energy power outages:As of 6 a.m. Thursday, DTE Energy reported 137,000 customers without power. As of 4:30 a.m. Thursday, Consumers Energy reported about 151,000 customers without power. As of 11:22 p.m. Wednesday, DTE Energy reported 158,748 customers without power. As of 11:22 p.m. Wednesday, Consumers Energy reported 155,418 without power.

DETROIT Power outages should be expected with damaging wind gusts being forecasted for Wednesday afternoon. Local 4 will be tracking the DTE Energy and Consumers Energy power outages in the link above. WATCH Local 4 News at 114 Fast FactsBe InformedA state representative wants Michigan Gov. Rep. Luke Meerman (R-88th District) wants the top boss of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency removed. Ford is recalling about 2.5 million vehicles in the U.S., Canada and elsewhere because of a nagging door latch problem and a brake fluid leak.

Huge shout-out to those workers who have been out all night and will be out all day today restoring power. The day ahead will feature a cooler, drier air mass, with skies becoming mostly sunny. Itll be a breezy day, with west winds at 15 to 25 mph, and gusts sometimes above 30 mph. Mostly sunny to start on our Finally Friday, as Brandon Roux likes to call it, but then becoming partly sunny by afternoon with a few widely scattered light showers possible. Mostly sunny to partly cloudy on Saturday, with highs in the mid to upper 60s (19 to 20 degrees Celsius).

Thousands of people are without power this morning after severe weather moved through the area Wednesday evening and night. DTE Energy and Consumers Energy have crews working to restore power to more than 200,000 customers. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 59,278 as of Wednesday, including 5,711 deaths, state officials report. Tuesdays total was 58,999 confirmed cases and 5,673 deaths. Related: Tracking Michigan COVID-19 hospitalization data trendsView: COVID-19 data in Michigan, beyond

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. Consumers Energy has closed Squirrel Road between Long Lake Road and Highwood Drive in Bloomfield Township due to a gas leak. Officials suggest using Wattles Road to Adams Road, back to Long Lake Road and vice versa as a detour. The road is expected to reopen to traffic late on Saturday.

“I have no other place to park this vehicle,” Stephens said. But the Halstead Commons Condominium Association feels differently and has threatened Stephens with fines if he doesn’t remove the van from his own driveway. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order specifically states Stephens has the right to park the commercial van at his own home. The association appreciates the work that he provides as an essential worker. “We have attempted to determine which executive order he is relying on and which provision of that executive order he is relying on, but so far we have not received a response.

DETROIT - Consumers Energy crews are working Wednesday to restore power to about 50,000 customers in Michigan after storms and strong winds. Our crews will continue working into the night to return power to as many people as possible, as soon as possible, said Greg Salisbury, Consumers Energy vice president. Be alert to crews working along roads. Consumers Energy will trim or remove trees interfering with electric restoration activities. Crews will reconnect the wires to a home, but only a licensed electrician can repair or replace a mast or a cable.

Consumers Energy will be making the repairs and the road is expected to reopen later Monday. (WDIV)ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich. - A private contractor has hit a gas main causing Kern Road to close just north of Silverbell Road in Orion Township, according to the Road Commission for Oakland County. Consumers Energy will be making the repairs and the road is expected to reopen later Monday. Kern Road is a detour for the Adams and Gunn roads closure and motorists will need to seek an alternate route. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

If you lost power this past weekend as storms and dangerous heat moved through Michigan, you may be eligible for a credit. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel today reminded Consumers Energy and DTE customers they may be eligible for a $25 credit if they were without power for more than 16 hours as a result of recent electric outages. Consumers are eligible for a credit under normal conditions if the utility fails to restore service within 16 hours after an outage resulting from conditions other than catastrophic conditions. Any customer of an electric utility regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission is eligible for this credit. Customers must contact their utility to determine whether they are eligible for the credit.

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – Residents on Greythorne Trail in Farmington Hills have been reporting the smell of natural gas for weeks. Neighbors say the utility workers deemed it an insignificant hole in a gas line T-joint and told them not to worry. They posted dozens of remarks, many describing how frustrated they are with the lack of action when the smell of gas is so obvious. Consumers knows very well about the leak as its crews have been out four or five times in recent weeks. But a concerned neighbor called Consumers about the gas smell three days ago and the new complaint apparently sat on a desk when it shouldn't have.