FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 20, 2018
Contact: Nick Assendelft 517-284-8300
Customer Assistance: 800-292-9555
www.michigan.gov/mpsc
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LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today approved a settlement agreement fining DTE Energy Co. $840,000 for violating the Commission’s rules governing billing and shutoff practices by utilities.
“The Commission has great concern when utilities violate customer protection rules,” said Sally Talberg, chairman of the MPSC. “The rules are important, fair, and common-sense protections for customers. This settlement resolves outstanding issues regarding illegal disconnections and billing mistakes, and it requires DTE Energy to be transparent and timely in meeting the significant requirements in the agreement. The MPSC will closely monitor DTE to make sure the settlement is fully implemented to provide customers the expected energy service and billing programs that are required under the law.”
The agreement was reached between the Commission staff, the Department of the Attorney General and DTE (Case No. U-20084).
In addition to the $840,000 fine, DTE must:
As a result of its internal investigation of billing and shutoff issues, DTE has implemented a disconnection verification process that lists nine criteria that must be checked before a shutoff is approved, and a five-step advanced metering infrastructure exchange shutoff verification process.
The settlement agreement does not preclude any remedy that is available to a DTE customer who has a pending complaint before the Commission or who has yet to file one.
The Residential Customer Group opposed the settlement.
The Commission opened its investigation in December 2017 after receiving customer complaints through its Customer Assistance Division about billing and shutoff issues (Case No. U-18486). Staff had learned of cases where DTE Electric and DTE Gas disconnected utility service and possibly violated the Consumer Standards and Billing Practices for Electric and Natural Gas Service after the utility began using its new billing system in April 2017.
DTE filed a report to the Commission on Jan. 22, 2018, but later said it contained inaccurate information and would be amended. On Jan. 29, DTE filed a follow-up report that indicated a system defect caused approximately 5,000 customers, out of a total of 9,000 shutoffs, to lose service without receiving proper notification under the billing rules: customers had received a single notice when two notices are required.
On Feb. 5, citing rule violations, inaccurate reporting, misinformation, and missing information, the Commission opened a show cause hearing to examine and obtain accurate information on the extent of the shutoff and billing errors and whether they were resolved in an appropriate and timely manner.
For an Issue Brief about the show cause investigation, click here.
The MPSC’s Customer Assistance Division can be reached at (800) 292-9555.
To look up cases from today’s meeting, access the eDockets filing system here.
To watch a livestream of the MPSC’s meetings, click here.
For information about the MPSC, visit www.michigan.gov/mpsc, sign up for one of its listservs, or follow the Commission on Twitter.
DISCLAIMER: This document was prepared to aid the public’s understanding of certain matters before the Commission and is not intended to modify, supplement, or be a substitute for the Commission’s orders. The Commission’s orders are the official action of the Commission.
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