Michigan regulators have authorized DTE Energy to increase electricity rates by 4 percent.
The Public Service Commission approved a $184 million annual rate hike Tuesday, effective Feb. 7. It's less than what the Detroit-based utility self-implemented in August, so customers will initially get a refund covering the last six months.
DTE had sought a $344 million annual rate increase and had self-implemented a $245 million increase.
The final rate is 4 percent above what was set in DTE's last electric case in December 2015.
Commission Chairwoman Sally Talberg said in a statement that DTE will spend money to upgrade its distribution infrastructure. She says a primary reason for power outages is the lack of maintenance and the age of distribution equipment.
DTE has 2.2 million power customers in southeastern Michigan.
