Title
Resolution to Direct the City Attorney to Provide a Public Legal Memorandum Regarding the City of Ann Arbor’s Intervention in DTE Electric Company and DTE Gas Company Proceedings before the Michigan Public Service Commission since 2022
Staff
Reviewed by: Valerie Jackson, Assistant City Attorney
Approved by: Atleen Kaur, City Attorney
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor is in the electric service territory of DTE Electric Company (“DTE Electric”) and in the natural gas service territory of DTE Gas Company (“DTE Gas”);
Whereas, DTE Electric and DTE Gas are public utilities regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission (“MPSC”);
Whereas, The MPSC’s regulatory power includes the authority to promulgate rules of service and set utility rates, such that in order for a public utility to increase its rates, it must get approval from the MPSC;
Whereas, Interested parties may intervene in and/or submit comments in certain proceedings before the MPSC, including cases in which a public utility is requesting a rate increase, cases in which a public utility is seeking approval of a program or plan (such as a voluntary green pricing program or a distribution grid plan), and proceedings initiated by the MPSC to gather information and input on issues related to its regulation of public utilities;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor has intervened and/or submitted comments in numerous proceedings regarding DTE Electric and DTE Gas before the MPSC to advocate zealously on behalf of the City and its residents;
Whereas, the City’s efforts in MPSC proceedings have increased since 2022;
Whereas, In some MPSC proceedings the City was the only party advancing certain arguments and in other proceedings it worked collaboratively with other entities to advocate for the City and its residents;
Whereas, The City has a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by the year 2030 (“A2Zero goals”), and the City’s advocacy before the MPSC is an important component of advancing its A2ZERO goals; and
Whereas, It is in the public’s interest for the City to be transparent about the arguments advanced by the City before the MPSC and the outcomes of the MPSC proceedings in which the City participated;
RESOLVED, That as soon as possible the City Attorney provide a public legal memorandum summarizing the arguments advanced by the City in MPSC proceedings regarding DTE Electric and DTE Gas and the outcome of those proceedings since 2022.
Sponsored by: Mayor Taylor