(WWJ) DTE Gas customers will pay more for natural gas after the Michigan Public Service Commission approved a $74.52 million rate increase.
The increase is a lot less than DTE Gas initially requested. The utility company was originally seeking an increase of $162.7 million, but regulators approved not even half that amount. The money is supposed to support infrastructure upgrades and maintenance to DTE's natural gas system, along with higher operating and maintenance costs.
For a typical residential customer, the increase will add another $2.87 on their monthly bill, or 3.34%. Customers will also pay another 68-cents starting January 1st, 2027 through an infrastructure surcharge.
The MPSC did reject another $284.1 million DTE requested for replacement of the Taggart Compressor Station, saying the utility failed to provide enough evidence to support the project. Regulators also rejected $17.9 million in fleet costs.
For low-income customers, the commission raised DTE's Low-Income Assistance Credit from $40 to $58 and ordered the utility to do a better job explaining those assistance programs that have been available for years.
The MPSC also raised the customer credit for lengthy or repeated power outages to $44 a day.
