3/16/23 - Working To Restore Power Quicker

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State utility companies went before a State House Committee to discuss wide-spread power outages and restoration efforts.

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan House Energy Committee held a hearing in Lansing this week.  The discussion surrounded restoration times following the recent winter storms.   Many waited days before their power was returned. 

The Michigan Public Service Commission says the power was not restored quickly enough.

There had been accusations that the power companies were prioritizing investors over customers.

Representatives of the power companies apologized and said there are plans for improvements and they will continue to invest in their systems.

Consumers Energy and DTE Energy said that they continue to work on improvements such as: increasing tree trimming, installing more underground infrastructure, and technology that allows the companies to remotely change the flow of energy around infrastructure damage.

The Michigan Public Service Commission plans to hold three town hall meetings next week. 

The MPSC in a release announced it will hold two in-person town halls in areas hard hit by the ice storm on March 20, from noon to 2:30 p.m. at American 1 Credit Union Event Center, 128 W. Ganson St. in Jackson, and again from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Fordson High School’s auditorium, 13800 Ford Road in Dearborn.

The MPSC also will hold a virtual town hall meeting, live-streamed over Microsoft Teams, on March 21, 6-8 p.m.