DTE’s high rates, worst service cost Michigan Ford’s EV plant
Group calls for full investigation into why Michiganders pay the most, have least reliable electricity in Midwest
LANSING – Ford’s decision to build a new electric vehicle battery plant outside of Michigan lays squarely on the fact DTE charges the most for electricity and has the worst service, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters said today in calling for a full investigation.
In interviews this week, Ford CEO Jim Farley has stated the
An independent consumer advocate group has repeatedly cited Michigan for having the highest electric rates in the Midwest and the worst service when it comes to restoring power.
“Michigan was never in the running for this type of electric vehicle investment because DTE’s high cost and worst service made it a non-starter,” said Bob Allison, deputy director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “Why is it that Michiganders pay the most and have the worst service in the Midwest? We know the big utilities left nearly a million residents in the dark for days and now Michigan families are losing out on job opportunities because it’s too expensive for businesses like Ford to operate in our state.”
In August, MLCV launched a petition calling on state leaders to put a moratorium on all rate increases for utility customers until there is an independent investigation into the utility companies’ reliability failures.
In the last five years, DTE Energy has jacked up rates to the tune of $775 million with little improvements to service, while Consumers Energy is currently proposing a $225 million rate increase – just months after they hiked our rates this past January.
DTE had profits of $1.4 billion and Consumers Energy’s parent company, CMS, raking in $680 million, while Michigan ratepayers are experiencing unreliable service.
