200,000 DTE Energy customers still without power: What to know about outage restoration

Emma Stein, Detroit Free Press
·5 min read
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DTE Energy's slow power restoration after storms, especially the most recent one, is in question — again — especially after its recent 8.8% rate hike request, which would raise bills an average of $10 more a month for residential customers.

Folks are mostly focused on cleaning up the mess the storms left, but getting power back is a big concern for more than 200,000 customers who are still in the dark.

The brutal storm that blew through Michigan late Monday, left more than 380,000 residents without power. Winds gusting at 70 mph, knocking down power lines and leveling trees, crushing cars, and homes, and pinning and eventually killing a woman in Toledo.

Downed power lines electrocuted a 14-year-old girl, wounded an 8-year-old boy, and set a house on fire.

More:DTE issues warning to avoid downed power lines after boy injured, Monroe teen dies

More:Here's what to do with refrigerated and frozen foods during a power outage

An 85-year-old Roseville man was rescued Tuesday from his burning home on Masonic between Kelly Road and Gratiot Avenue, according to news reports. Neighbors said sparking powerlines started the fire. Fire officials said the cause is under investigation.

Among the critics of the slow DTE response is U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, whose district includes Detroit and Downriver suburbs. She tweeted: "Schools are closed. Food in fridge spoiling. People suffering through the humidity," and added a message that tagged DTE, noting it "has the highest rates in the nation & among the most unreliable."

She asked: "How many more outages before @MichiganPSC does something to stop the unjust rate increases and DTE's attack on solar?"

Last week, about 200 people from across the state packed a public hearing in Detroit who demanded the Michigan Public Service Commission — the regulatory agency that oversees public utilities — to reject a rate hike request from DTE.

In a statement, DTE said: “We are confident that when the testimony from all parties is considered that the MPSC will make the best decision for our customers and all stakeholders. When new rates are approved by the Commission it will be nearly three years since the last base rate increase. The affordability of our service is a priority for us.”

DTE and Consumers Energy have crews making repairs.

“Our crews are working tirelessly to get power back to our customers as quickly as possible,” said Amanda Wagenschutz, one of Consumers Energy’s Officers in Charge of the storm event. “Safety is our top priority. Nothing is more important than protecting our customers, our co-workers, and the communities we serve.”

Consumers already has restored power to 75 percent of its customers, with the remainder back online by the end of Wednesday; DTE said 80 percent of its customers should have power back by the end of Thursday.

What you can do?

The short answer is not much.

You can report your outage.

After 120 hours under so-called "catastrophic conditions" or 16 hours under "non-catastrophic conditions," you're eligible for a credit from your utility company by applying through their respective websites. DTE defines catastrophic as "an official state of emergency" or event with "an interruption of 10 percent or more of the utility’s customers."

Traffic stops are out

If you come across a dark traffic signal, operate as if it was a four-way stop.

"Remember," Michigan State Police said in a tweet, "be courteous as you approach these intersections and use extra caution, and if someone goes out of turn it’s really not that big of a deal."

Schools and libraries

Thirty metro Detroit schools were closed Tuesday due to power outages, most will re-open Wednesday.

Nine Detroit Public Library branches were closed due to the outages, and six remained closed as of Wednesday afternoon:

  • Edison Branch

  • Lincoln Branch

  • Parkman Branch

  • Redford Branch

  • Sherwood Forest Branch

  • Wilder Branch

Relief and recharging centers

Many local governments provide relief centers with charging stations during widespread power outages.

In Shelby Township, residents can visit the Shelby Township Library, Shelby Township Activities Center, or the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center to cool off, entertain the family, or charge devices.

Westland is offering a variety of cooling centers all week. Residents can go there to also recharge their electronics.

  • Westland City Hall, 36300 Warren, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

  • Fire Station No. 1, 35701 Central City Parkway, seven days a week from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

  • Fire Station No. 3, 28801 Annapolis, seven days a week from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

  • The police station, 36701 Ford Road) 24 hours, seven days a week

  • The Friendship Center, 1119 N. Newburgh Road, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

  • Jefferson Barns Community Vitality Center, 32150 Dorsey Road, Monday and Thursday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

  • William P. Faust Library, 6123 Central City Parkway, Monday through Thursday 9 a.m.- 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Live wires and safety

After the deaths and injuries reported from the storm, DTE sent out an urgent warning for residents to stay at least 20 feet away from the downed lines, and to be wary of other potentially dangerous objects, including fences that live wires could be touching.

Here are tips to stay safe during an outage:

  • Downed power lines may be hidden by debris. Watch for these hazards.

  • Stay at least a bus length, 20 feet, away from downed power lines.

  • Don’t touch anything they may be in contact with and always consider them dangerous.

  • Never drive across a downed power line.

  • If a power line falls on your vehicle, call 911 and remain inside until help arrives.

  • Do not cross yellow caution tape, which indicates there is a downed power line in the area.

  • Never use a portable generator inside a home or business. It emits carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.

  • Stay out of flooded or damp basements or other areas if water is in contact with outlets or electric appliances.

Nushrat Rahman contributed.

Contact Emma Stein: estein@freepress.com and follow her on Twitter @_emmastein.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Power outages continue for DTE Energy customers in SE Michigan