LANSING – Michigan customers of DTE Energy will finally get a reprieve in their bills as the utility announced it is slashing its renewable energy surcharge from $3 to 43 cents per month.
Reacting to the declining price of renewable energy, which is now cheaper than coal plants, DTE altered its surcharge in a recent filing with the Michigan Public Service Commission.
As reported by MLive, DTE’s action will reduce customer bills by $90 million.
“We’re pleased to offer this plan to the commission, which has been optimized to meet the state’s renewable energy goals while reducing the cost to our customers,” Irene Dimitry, DTE Energy vice president of marketing and renewables, said.
The MPSC has repeatedly said Michigan’s renewable energy standard has been a boon to local economic development and created new jobs for Michigan workers. Michigan’s major utilities are on track to meet the current renewable energy standard of 10 percent by 2015.
Michigan Energy Michigan Jobs, a bipartisan coalition of Michigan businesses, health professionals, labor unions, academics and scientists, agricultural and rural voices, faith leaders, environmental and conservation groups and more, supports increasing Michigan’s renewable energy and energy efficiency use because of the economic benefits to the state.
“Michigan’s renewable energy standard is a success story for workers, businesses and consumers, as evidenced once again by DTE’s latest filing with the Michigan Public Service Commission,” said Rory Neuner, coalition coordinator for MI Air MI Health. “Renewable energy is now cheaper than old and new coal plants. It’s time for policymakers to take action to increase our renewable energy and energy efficiency use further so we can continue to reap the benefits of more Michigan jobs and lower utility bills.”
Consumers Energy has lowered its renewable energy surcharge twice since the law took effect in 2008. The current surcharge for those customers is 52 cents per month.
