Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has stated she will continue to intervene in major rate cases before the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), following DTE’s recent announcement of plans for another electric rate hike. DTE formally notified the MPSC on February 24 of its intent to seek a new increase “on or around April 27, 2026,” just five days after the commission approved a $242.4 million rate hike.
Since 2020, DTE has received approval from the MPSC for over $1 billion in annual revenue increases. The company’s previous request sought an additional $574 million, which would have raised residential rates by 11%. Details about the amount requested in this latest case are expected before the formal application is submitted in April.
“It’s astonishing that our current system allows DTE to announce their next rate hike case less than one week after locking in a $242 million rate hike, all while the utility projects record profits,” said Attorney General Nessel. “How many times are Michigan families expected to reach deeper into their pockets to bankroll record profits and shareholder dividends for DTE and Consumers Energy’s Wall Street investors, while reliability and affordability remain out of reach? The Michigan Public Service Commission must wake up to the impacts their constant rate hike approvals are having on utility ratepayers across our state. My office will continue to advocate for the best interests of utility customers in every major case, whether it’s new stunning rate hikes or secret data center contracts.”
Recent requests from both DTE and Consumers Energy have included costs such as private jet travel for executives and other expenditures that were not shown to be reasonable or prudent. Ongoing cases at the MPSC include DTE’s natural gas rate hike request (U-21973), as well as Consumers Energy’s electric (U-21870) and natural gas (U-21981) requests.
Attorney General Nessel also has pending motions before the commission regarding special contracts between DTE and an anticipated hyperscale AI data center in Saline Township. She argues these contracts should be reopened because DTE did not fully accept conditions intended to protect customers from subsidizing service costs for the data center. Nessel is also seeking a rehearing on whether such contracts can be approved without a contested case hearing.
Dana Nessel serves as Michigan’s 54th attorney general according to information available on the official website. The Michigan Department of Attorney General focuses on public service initiatives, including efforts against human trafficking and support for vulnerable populations (source). The department holds statewide authority aimed at protecting residents throughout Michigan (source).
