MPSC

A $30.5 million rate increase was approved for DTE Electric on Friday, a hike set to take effect on Nov. 25.

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.

State utility regulators said they will now create new utility reporting measures and a related online clearinghouse of that information – data about system reliability, outages, and storm response – expected to be ready by early 2023, officials said. “Consumers Energy remains committed to building a more reliable and resilient power grid for all of our customers. Consumers intends to upgrade equipment, clear trees from power lines and install new technology to reduce the duration and number of power outages, officials said. He said the company also intends to improve how power is delivered because of challenges from climate change-fueled storms. She contends the state should also overhaul the bill credits Michigan residents receive after lengthy power outages, an argument also made by Attorney General Dana Nessel after last year’s damaging and disruptive summer storms.

Michigan’s Public Service Commission has approved an accounting measure that allows DTE Electric Co. to provide a one-time, $70 million voluntary refund to be spent on tree trimming.

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.

Gasoline, electricity and natural gas are all expected to keep getting pricier. But as things “get back to normal,” gas prices are doing the same. While it only directly impacted the east coast, it had residual impacts on the nation’s gas supply, raising gas prices about $0.07 per gallon on average that week. Electricity, natural gas prices up ,tooThanks to COVID-19, electricity sales in Michigan were down 5% in 2020. This summer, expect to pay around $3 per thousand cubic feet, compared to $1.95 per thousand cubic feet last summer.

The shutdown of a major pipeline on the East Coast due to a cyberattack will not impact automotive fuel supply in Michigan, officials said on Wednesday.

LANSING, Mich. – Nine organizations across Michigan have received a total of $54.5 million in grants to help residents in their communities with energy bills. Michigan’s Public Service Commission and the state Department of Health and Human Services said the grants were awarded through Michigan Energy Assistance Program funding. The statewide Heat and Warmth Fund received about $7 million, while just over $11 million went to the Salvation Army. An emphasis will be placed on helping households earning the lowest income that have high energy bills. More than 55,000 Michigan households received Michigan Energy Assistance Program assistance in the funding period that ended Sept. 30.