AG Nessel Addresses DTE Energy Power Outage Credit Waiver

Last Monday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel applied for assistance in DTE Energy’s case before the Michigan Public Service Commission.

DTE Energy is requesting the commission to waive the requirement to automatically award outage credits to customers who do not have smart meters.

These clients would have to apply for reimbursement.

Customers in Michigan might receive billing credits if they experience frequent or extensive outages. Utilities must issue $38 credits to customers who have six or more interruptions in a year.

The condition type and duration of outages also determine these credits. You can claim the credit 90 days after the outage occurs.

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In a filing with the Public Service Commission, DTE Energy requested a partial rule waiver. Customers who don’t use advanced metering infrastructure (smart meters) are asked to make a payment request.

DTE claims that smart meters make outage detection simple and invoices more accurate.

In its filing, the business stated that implementing an internal automation technology system was ‘improperly economically difficult.’ This system would identify consumers who opt out of smart meters as eligible for outage bill refunds.

DTE stated that having consumers apply for credits would be easier and more effective, with the 90-day payment window beginning on the day of the application.

According to Nessel, DTE Energy is seeking a waiver from state outage standards. “The outage credit mandate requires DTE to comply regularly, but its attempt to secure permanent exemption from this public accountability measure is an unwarranted excess, she stated.

DTE Energy stated that it is “committed to providing outage credits to all qualifying customers.” The business stated that this occurs automatically for approximately 2 million consumers who have smart meters.

However, approximately 13,000 customers have opted out and continue to utilize legacy meters. DTE stated that “technology limitations” prevent the business from receiving real-time outage information from impacted consumers.

“The statement added that DTE Energy has not requested an exemption from paying outage credits to these consumers. The company requests that these legacy meter customers actively file a credit request to ensure documentation and handling of their outage credit.”

Amy Bandyk of the Citizens Utility Board of Michigan, a nonprofit organization, supported Nessel in the case. Delivering outage credits to people who do not use smart meters may be more challenging. Customers should not pay the cost, regardless of whether they use a smart meter or not. Customers affected by long power outages must track DTE’s failures to keep the lights on,” Bandyk said. They should report to the utility to receive the reimbursement to which state laws entitle them,” Bandyk added.

The Citizens Utility Board stated that DTE Energy should be responsible for contacting consumers and guiding them through the credit method.