After 700,000+ Michigan customers lost power during Feb. ice storm, hearing will address consumer concerns, options to strengthen power grid
LANSING, Mich. (March 13, 2023) — Today, the office of Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo) announced that the Senate Energy and Environment Committee, which the Senator chairs, will hold a hearing on Thursday, March 23, 2023, on the recent storm-related power outages in Michigan.
The hearing will take place in Rooms 402 and 403 of the Michigan Capitol from 8:30 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. Representatives of the Michigan Public Service Commission, DTE Energy, and Consumers Energy have been invited to participate.
“As Chair of the Michigan Senate Energy & Environment Committee, it is critical to me and the members of the committee to hear from the Michigan Public Service Commission, DTE Energy and Consumers Energy about their responses to the recent ice storms and related power outages,” said Sen. McCann. “The devastating and prolonged loss of power because of these storms and the so many Michigan residents impacted by it deserve answers and action.”
“The meeting on the 23rd will be an initial hearing focused on assessing the issues specific to the February event. Future hearings will continue to examine why Michigan customers face such frequent outages, why it takes so long to recover electricity service, and what options does the Michigan Legislature have to improve the performance of our utilities going forward.”
“While power outages are sometimes unavoidable, the frequency and length of outages is becoming unacceptable,” Sen. McCann added. “We must set a path to dramatically improve the performance of all our utilities and examine every option to reach the goal of uninterrupted—or at least promptly restored—service. The committee, the Senate and the Michigan Legislature will explore our options to mitigate the effects of future storms.”
Last month, a severe ice storm caused more than 700,000 Michigan electric customers to lose power, with a significant number of those residents residing in Southeast Michigan. Other hard-hit communities were along Interstate 94, including Sen. McCann’s hometown of Kalamazoo as well as Battle Creek, Jackson, and Hillsdale. Many Michigan households were without power for several days.
Media inquiries can be directed to sensmccann@senate.michigan.gov or 517-373-5100.
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