Power outages could trigger $42 bill credits

How it works: Michigan requires utilities to automatically credit customers for sufficiently long outages.

• This week's storms will fall into the "catastrophic" category for DTE, meaning customers qualify for a $42 credit after 96 hours without power, Michigan Public Service Commission spokesperson Matt Helms tells Axios.
• Customers receive another $42 for every additional 24 hours without power.

By the numbers: Michigan utility customers received nearly $8.5 million in outage credits in 2024 — seven times the amount paid in 2022, before the state made the credits automatic.

What to do: You don't have to apply. If you think you're owed a credit but don't see it within one or two billing cycles, contact your utility or submit an inquiry through the Michigan Attorney General's office.