Rate Hike Every Year? SB 768 Would Force DTE and Consumers to Wait 3 Years

Michigan Senate Bill 768, sponsored by State Sen. Kevin Hertel, goes after one specific part of the utility rate system: how often big utilities can file the major case that raises base rates.This bill does not lower your electric or natural gas bill. It does not roll back current rates. It does not refund anyone for past increases. SB 768 only changes the timing so utilities cannot come back as often for another full rate hike case.Here is the change in plain language. Under current Michigan law, a gas, electric, or steam utility can file a new general rate case for a rate increase after 12 months from its last complete general rate case filing. SB 768 would change that minimum gap from 12 months to 3 years.A general rate case is the formal process where the utility asks the Michigan Public Service Commission to approve higher base rates. It is one of the biggest levers utilities use to raise what customers pay.The timing piece is why this matters. Even with a “12 month” rule on the books, real life rarely feels like exactly 12 months. These cases take time to prepare, argue, and decide, so customers often experience them more like every 18 to 24 months instead of every single year.If the minimum window becomes 3 years, the same reality applies. The case still takes months to work through, so the spacing customers feel can be longer than 3 years, more like three and a half years, depending on how long the process takes.Supporters say the goal is to slow down the repeat cycle of big filings and push longer-term planning instead of constant rate case pressure on households and businesses.SB 768 was introduced January 15, 2026 and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment.