AG Nessel Seeks to Slash DTE Rate Hike by 85%

March 20, 2026

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed testimony in DTE’s latest natural gas rate hike case, urging an 85% reduction that could save Michigan ratepayers tens of millions of dollars. DTE filed its $237.5 million rate hike request with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) in November 2025, seeking to hike rates by an overall 10% increase for DTE gas customers, including at least an 8% hike for residential customers. This request follows DTE’s November 2024 natural gas rate hike of $113 million, less than half of what DTE initially sought after Attorney General Nessel intervened to protect Michigan ratepayers.

Attorney General Nessel sponsored testimony from four separate industry experts across multiple specialties on March 13 imploring the MPSC to limit the increase to $34.8 million. The recommendation prioritizes overall affordability for customers, fleet electrification studies, and payment options for low-income and vulnerable customers. The Attorney General found 85% of DTE’s proposed expenditures, for which it requests permission to bill its ratepaying customers, were not supported in its application as improving reliability, affordability, or providing meaningful customer benefit.

“DTE is raking in record profits while turning around and asking Michigan families to foot the bill for bloated, unjustified costs,” said Attorney General Nessel. “As no surprise, DTE has once again fattened its rate hike request with excessive and unwarranted expenses – this time by 85%. I implore the MPSC to stand up for Michigan ratepayers, prioritize affordability for customers, and not rubber-stamp the demands of utility corporations.”

Since taking office, the Attorney General has helped save Michigan consumers more than $4.1 billion by intervening in utility cases before the MPSC. Recent rate hike requests from DTE and Consumers Energy have included such inappropriate costs as private jet travel for executive staff and other unsupported expenditures that could not be demonstrated to be reasonable or prudent. Rate hike cases currently open before the MPSC include Consumers Energy’s electric rate hike request (U-21870) and a natural gas rate hike request (U-21981), SEMCO Energy Gas Company’s gas rate hike request (U-22002), Michigan Gas Utilities Corporation’s gas rate hike request (U-22007), and Upper Peninsula Power Company’s electric rate hike request (U-22032). DTE has also submitted a filing announcement, announcing its intent to file another electric rate hike in April.

DTE sells natural gas to 1.3 million customers across the state and electricity to approximately 2.2 million customers in Southeast Michigan.

MI Newswire Attorney General Press Release Utilities Media Contact:

Danny Wimmer

Press Secretary

agpress@michigan.gov

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