September 10, 2024
Michigan Public Service Commission
7109 W Saginaw Highway 1st Floor,
Lansing, MI 48917
Dear members of the Michigan Public Service Commission,
As the state senator representing the 265,000 residents of District 1 in Michigan, I strongly oppose the proposed rate hikes by DTE Energy. One of my duties as an elected official is to uplift the voices of my community and advocate on their behalf. It is clear that residents in our community overwhelmingly oppose an increase in energy rates. It is also necessary that I consider their well-being and I know that an increased rate will be detrimental to many residents in my district and throughout Michigan.
Energy prices at the current rate already place a financial burden on families and individuals across the state. The fact of the matter is energy is a human right and any increase in rates will exacerbate existing struggles, or create new ones, forcing some to choose between essential needs. It is necessary we address this without putting a strain on people’s wallets. This strain goes beyond the cost of one’s energy bill. The strain includes loss of perishable food items or medications during outages, health issues caused by lack of heating or cooling and much more.
Access to affordable energy is a fundamental necessity for modern life and it is crucial for maintaining a safe and comfortable living environment. The proposed rate hikes by DTE would disproportionately impact low-income families and vulnerable populations. Residents have experienced a rate hike every year for the last 10 years and it is becoming unbearable. Additional rate increases are unnecessary and unjust.
I urge the MPSC to consider the profound impact these rate hikes would have on our communities. It is imperative that we prioritize the needs of our residents and work towards more equitable solutions, such as vegetation management and tree trimming, that do not place additional financial stressors on people and families across our state. DTE must consider its millions of customers and not prioritize corporate interests over them.
Sincerely,
State Senator Erika Geiss, District 1