Michigan regulators approve $217 million DTE rate hike

• A state-commissioned audit released in September found that both DTE and Consumers Energy were among the worst-performing utilities at restoring power in 2022 and 2023, the Free Press reported.

State of play: The MPSC-approved hike is valued at $217 million.

• DTE initially requested a $456 million increase from the commission, a three-member panel appointed by the governor to regulate the state's natural gas, electricity and telecommunications industries.

Follow the money: The commission explained that the Detroit-based energy company needs to charge more in order to upgrade aging power lines and continue maintenance and tree trimming to improve reliability.

What they're saying: Amy Bandyk, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board of Michigan, told Planet Detroit that regulators missed a chance to send a stronger message to DTE.

• "It's not a matter of having enough money to improve the grid, it's a matter of what DTE does with it," Bandyk said, adding that the utility's grid management has been "woefully substandard."