- Infrastructure investments will allow DTE to continue its multi-year program that has so far led to a 30% improvement in electric reliability across its service territory
- Average DTE monthly residential electric bills for customers using 500 kilowatt hours of electricity are expected to increase by approximately
$4 and remain below the national average - Amid COVID-19 pandemic, DTE has extended its service protection period to
June 1 st and last week announced up to$40 million in bill relief for its electric customers in June and July
The new rates will take effect
Amid the health and financial hardships that many Michiganders are experiencing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, DTE is taking several measures to assist its customers. The energy company has extended its service protection period to
To further help customers who may experience both short- and long-term income difficulties because of the pandemic, DTE recently launched a new Personalized Service Protection program. Customized services that are being made available to eligible customers include fee waivers, payment assistance and flexible long-term repayment options.
Improving Electric Reliability
The infrastructure investmentsapproved in this rate decision will allow DTE to continue its multi-year program that hasso farled to a30%improvement in reliability across the energy company’s electric service territory.
New rate funding will also go toward DTE’s tree trimming program. Tree trimming operations are vital to maintaining and improving electric reliability performance. The majority of DTE’s outages are attributable to trees that fall on power lines. In most areas in DTE’s service territory where trees are trimmed, customers experience a 65% improvement in electric reliability.
Additionally, investments will support replacing aging equipment and modernizing the grid. Infrastructure improvements will be made leveraging proven technology solutions that will improve DTE’s preparedness for catastrophic events, provide better response times during outages as well as support the evolving way that customers will use the grid in the future as electric vehicle (EV) use increases.
Supporting Michigan Jobs
A key portion of the approved funding in this rate case will go toward supporting key infrastructure projects throughout
Funding will go toward supporting jobs and construction costs at DTE’s Blue Water Energy Center (BWEC) – an under construction, state-of-the-art, natural gas combined-cycle plant that is scheduled to be complete in 2022. The plant represents a nearly
DTE has spent
Reducing Carbon Emissions
To help meet its carbon emissions reduction commitments, DTE is retiring three coal power plants in two years. These plants represent about 20% of the generating capacity used to serve the peak energy needs of DTE customers.
A portion of the order approved in the Commission’s decision will support continued reliability and emissions reductions as DTE transforms its generation resources through these plants retirements.
Upgrading Storage Investments
Funding approved in the rate case decision will go toward upgrading the Ludington Pumped Storage Power Plant, which DTE co-owns with Consumers Energy. The plant is located on a 1,000-acre site on
About
Pete Ternes DTE Energy 313.235.5555
Source:
2020 GlobeNewswire, Inc., source
