Legislator pursues protections for families following unpopular $242 million DTE rate increase
LANSING, Mich., March 4, 2026 — State Rep. Denise Mentzer (D-Mt. Clemens) introduced legislation today that would prohibit utility companies from filing to increase their retail rates sooner than three years after their last filing. Currently, utility companies only have to wait one year from filing their last application to file another rate case with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). The bill is identical to and serves as the House’s version of Senate Bill 768, marking rapid response to the MPSC approving DTE’s highly unpopular filing for a $242 million rate increase, set to affect residents’ bills starting March 5.
After introducing the bill, Mentzer issued the following statement:
“Just days after the MPSC approved DTE’s latest rate hike, the company announced requesting their next one. It is completely unacceptable that Michigan’s current law allows utilities to pursue record profits on the backs of households year after year. Lengthening the amount of time between potential utility rate hikes from one year to three years would give households much-needed time to plan and adjust while slowing utility companies’ annual rate hike attempts. At its core, this bill is about prioritizing families over corporations, something that every elected official should be committed to. We must ensure this legislation crosses the finish line, and I am proud to introduce this avenue to protect Michiganders from unjust utility costs in the House.”
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