UTILITIES

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.

DTE Energy is moving to a new time of day rate plan in March, which means electricity costs more or less depending on when you’re using it.

DTE Energy is moving to a time of day rate plan in March, which means electricity costs more or less depending on when you’re using it.

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

You can take steps to stay warm and comfortable while keeping those bills low.

Division between Huron St. and Ann is closed for emergency repairs.

County officials are urging anyone struggling to pay rent to apply for CERA benefits.

DTE Energy, the biggest utility in Southeast Michigan, says it’s investing an additional $70 million to address weather-related power outages following large-scale events this summer.

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.

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.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State House Development Authority (MSHDA) announced a $282 million rental assistance program meant to help tenants who are struggling due to the COVID pandemic avoid eviction. The program is also meant to ensure that landlords can recoup owed rent. The COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program replaces the Eviction Diversion Program (EDP) that MSHDA launched in July. Landlords or tenants can apply for CERA. Tenants and landlords can also apply through their local service agency.

“As soon as they get the basement pumped out and utilities back on the grocery should be able to open this weekend,” Lenzi said. “Once the water (in the basement) is dried out utilities could be restored and residents could return as early as tomorrow.”

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.

In a report to the state Public Utilities Commission, Southern California Edison said it was investigating whether its electrical equipment caused the blaze. However, the utility had reduced that to under 16,500 as winds eased temporarily Monday night. Fire officials said PG&E transmission lines sparked that fire, which destroyed hundreds of homes and caused nearly 100,000 people to flee. While the biggest fires in California have been fully or significantly contained, more than 5,000 firefighters remain committed to 20 blazes, state fire officials said. Associated Press writer Amy Taxin in Orange County, California contributed to this report.

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.