PONTIAC, Mich., Aug. 23, 2021 — Storms over the past month knocked trees and power lines down across the state, at one time leaving up to 760,000 residents without power. As of Aug. 16, both Consumers Energy and DTE only offer a $25 credit to the energy bill after customers have been out of power and only after it is specifically applied for. DTE increased their credit to $100 on Aug. 19. Attorney General Dana Nessel called for customers to be automatically credited by utility companies for the inconvenience of the power outages. State Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac) issued the following statement in support:
“Michigan families affected by these power outages have already suffered hundreds of hours in the dark and hundreds of dollars in spoiled food, alternative lodging and dozens of other costs. They shouldn’t also have to suffer the patronizing indignity of wading through an application process to receive what little compensation is available for their suffering. Making the existing credit automatic is the least these companies can do; increasing the credit to more realistically address the true cost and expense of being without power is the right thing to do.”