State regulators order audit of DTE, Consumers Energy response to outages
Citing "mounting frustration from the public," the Michigan Public Service Commission has ordered an audit of Consumers Energy and DTE over its response to power outages and downed lines after recent storms.
The decision Wednesday follows "a pattern of widespread, lengthy outages from increasingly severe storms in Michigan," the commission said in a statement.
The group noted storms in late August that brought wind gusts topping 70 mph, toppling roughly 3,000 power lines and leaving nearly 500,000 customers without electricity for days. A 14-year-old girl died in Monroe and an 8-year-old boy was critically hurt in Warren after coming into contact with power lines downed in the storm.
"These actions represent a new approach to the MPSC’s work to hold the state’s two largest electric utilities to account for persistent reliability and safety challenges," commission chairman Dan Scripps said in a statement.
"Over the past decade, the MPSC has issued a series of directives in response to widespread outages after storms. While there are important efforts underway, the reality is that we still haven’t seen the improvements in reliability and safety that Michigan customers deserve. This effort to get an independent assessment of the utilities’ distribution infrastructure, programs and processes will inform next steps and provide a necessary path forward to a power grid that meets the expectations of its customers."
DTE Energy officials said in a statement that "we share the concern of the Michigan Public Service Commission and look forward to providing a full accounting of storm damage, safety precautions and recovery efforts."
"We will also detail our long-term plans to address DTE Energy’s needed infrastructure improvements to help improve reliability and reduce and prevent electric service outages in the future," DTE said in a statement.
Consumers Energy, meanwhile, said it looks forward to working with the MPSC and focusing on the "well-being" of the people it serves.
"Safety is our top priority at Consumers Energy, not just for our coworkers but for everyone in our state," said the utility in a statement. "We appreciate the MPSC’s interest in ensuring that energy providers are taking steps to protect and inform people before, during and after severe storms, and improve electric system reliability and resilience,
The MPSC's order Wednesday directs Consumers Energy and DTE Electric to report on their compliance with previous orders, including those initiated after severe storms in August 2021.
By Nov. 4, the utilities must detail plans such as: how their downed wire response audits are performed; how technologies are being used to improve detection of downed wires and monitor the power grid; how critical facilities including hospitals and schools are identified and prioritized for service restoration; and efforts to engage in public outreach, education and training of the public and first responders on the dangers of downed power lines.
The commission also is slated to start hiring a consultant to perform an independent third-party audit and review of the companies' electric distribution system "including all equipment and operations, with a focus on reducing the number and duration of outages and identifying improvements needed to increase safety, particularly concerning the risk of public contact with downed power lines," officials said Wednesday.
The cost of the audit will be paid by the utilities pursuant to state law, according to the commission.
Staff Writer Charles E. Ramirez contributed.