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Navigating DTE Peak Hours: A Guide for Our Community

By Lynzee Mychael MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST

As of June 1, Consumers Energy and DTE electricity increased rates during peak hours as part of the summer rate adjustments. Many customers still have questions about how to navigate these changes and many have expressed their concerns. It’s important to stay informed about these changes to ensure consumers can manage their energy consumption effectively and minimize the impact on monthly bills. Let’s delve into the details and explore how you can navigate the new pricing structure.

Consumers Energy has implemented a pricing increase during peak hours, designated as from 2-7 p.m. on weekdays. During these hours, the rate will be 1.5 times higher compared to non-peak hours. If you’re curious about how this increase will affect your bill, Consumers Energy provides a handy calculator to help you estimate the impact.

DTE customers, on the other hand, will experience a rate increase from 16.75 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) the peak hours rate from October to May to 20.98 cents per kWh during peak hours from 3-7 p.m. on weekdays. This adjustment will be in effect from June 1 to September 30. For non-peak hours and weekends, the rate will be 15.45 cents per kWh. If you require further information regarding DTE’s rates, their website offers comprehensive details.

It’s worth noting that this summer marks the first time DTE is implementing peak hour pricing, following in the footsteps of Consumers Energy, which introduced it in 2021. The adoption of this pricing structure is a response to the Michigan Public Service Commission’s directive for the state’s electric utilities to implement time-based pricing.

According to a statement from a DTE representative in March, the transition to time-based pricing is aimed at managing energy generation demands during peak periods and the hotter months. DTE, as the largest energy producer in Michigan, assures customers that they possess the necessary energy reserves to serve their consumers, even during extreme weather conditions. The representative stated, “Time-of-day rates simply help customers take advantage of lower rates for the majority of the day while helping to balance the demand on the grid during peak hours when customers use energy the most.”

The implementation of peak hour pricing by DTE has raised concerns about its potential impact on Black communities, considering the unique socio-economic challenges the community often faces. Black communities, on average, experience higher poverty rates and income disparities compared to other racial or ethnic groups. The introduction of higher electricity rates during peak hours can add an additional financial burden to households with limited incomes. This could strain budgets and limit access to other essential resources, exacerbating the challenges faced by these communities.

The type of housing and infra-

See DTE PEAK HOURS Page A-6

By Lynzee Mychael MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021 Black women experienced a maternal mortality rate of 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, which was 2.6 times higher than the rate for white women (26.6). Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues than white women and Black babies are more than twice as likely to die before their first birthday. The alarming statistic raised concerns among expectant mothers and their advocates, leading to a movement aimed at improving maternal and infant health outcomes while creating community and awareness.

In the face of Detroit’s maternal health crisis, a recent analysis conducted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services further emphasizes the urgency of the situation. The study reveals that an alarming 65 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in Detroit were preventable. This means that with improved healthcare practices and targeted interventions, a significant number of lives could have been saved. It is a sobering reminder that every pregnancy-related death represents a profound loss, leaving families shattered and communities bereaved.

In a groundbreaking initiative called “Hear Us! Our Voices, Our Births: Detroit Mothers Speak,” women from the Detroit area are sharing their birth stories to bring about positive change and prevent traumatic birthing experiences. Led by the Southeast Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Coalition (SEMPQIC), this project empowers Black and Brown women by amplifying their voices and fostering respect and value for their experiences.

Founded by Merck for Mothers with funding from the Safer Childbirth Cities initiative, the program brings together a collaborative network of philanthropic partners to provide support to community-based organizations in U.S. cities facing significant challenges related to maternal mortality and morbidity. Their shared goal is to address these pressing issues and improve the well-being of mothers and infants by implementing targeted interventions and fostering sustainable change within these communities.

SEMPQIC united a formidable team of four community partners to spearhead Project Detroit: Voices for Life. This collaborative effort includes the Detroit Health Department and its esteemed SisterFriends Detroit program, along with Henry Ford Health, the Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association (BMBFA) and Focus: HOPE. These carefully chosen partners were selected based on their extensive expertise and deep-rooted connections within the community. Together, they bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to improving maternal and infant health outcomes in Detroit.

Alethia Carr, SEMPQIC health equity lead consultant stated, “The mission of Project Detroit: Voices for Life is to promote systems change and to innovate the analysis, translation and application of maternal health data that will promote maternal vitality for Black women. This includes going beyond the analysis of