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Michigan Regulators Approve $242.4 Million DTE Rate Increase, Effective March 2026

The order ties new spending to reliability gains with stricter transparency for outside costs.

Overview

  • Around 2.3 million DTE customers will see bills rise starting March 5, 2026, with a typical household paying about $4.93 more per month, or roughly 4.6%.
  • The commission reduced DTE’s request from $574 million after a 10‑month case that drew hundreds of public comments and intervenor challenges.
  • Approved investments target grid reliability, including pole and pole‑top maintenance, a five‑year tree‑trimming cycle, substation upgrades, and underground pilots in Ann Arbor and Attica Township.
  • Regulators ordered DTE to track and disclose outside legal and consultant spending, analyze disconnection data, and enhance assistance programs for low‑income customers.
  • The order permits a limited continuation of DTE’s infrastructure recovery surcharge, including $348 million in 2026 and $282.5 million in 2027 for specified projects, and separately DTE will begin $2.99 card‑payment fees for residential accounts on March 2.