LANSING, Mich. (April 16, 2026) — Today, the Senate Energy and Environment Committee heard testimony from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), where they discussed the drivers behind increasing utility costs that have been hitting Michigan consumers in recent years. This testimony underscored the need for legislation introduced by Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), which would establish a multi-year rate plan to delay how often utility companies can raise rates by freezing rate hikes for three years.
“Families’ energy bills have not been immune to the list of everyday necessities that have been rising in price,” said Sen. Hertel. “For too many folks here in southeast Michigan and across the state, continual rate hikes have put additional pressure on already strained budgets as people try to keep up. We have to put an end to this costly cycle. This legislation will do just that and give Michiganders the predictability they need to plan, budget, and keep the lights on in their homes without breaking the bank.”
Over the last five years, the MPSC has approved over $1 billion in electricity rate increases for state’s largest utility companies. Time after time, when the companies successfully secure an increase, they immediately apply for another. For example, in February, the MPSC approved a $242 million rate hike for DTE, and just days later, the company announced that they would be seeking another. As a result of this constant cycle, Michiganders have seen their energy bills increase by 11% in the past year alone.
Senate Bill 768 would put an end to these outrageous utility costs by establishing a multi-year rate plan that would set utility prices for three years. This enables homeowners and businesses to know their household energy costs for years at a time and make utility prices, and more importantly, consumer costs, less susceptible to short-term market and policy changes.
The legislation currently awaits a vote from the Senate Energy and Environment Committee.