“Why does DTE need to raise its rates every year when each of us is doing everything we can to lower our usage? And when we lower our usage, instead of us, the customer, receiving the benefit of that lower usage by a lower bill, DTE asks to increase its rate … Asking for a hike period is just pure greed.”

“My name is Rachel Thompson. I am a Detroit Resident, I live in Southwest. I am a mother, an organizer and a therapist. And I just want to share my story of why DTE rates are completely unaffordable for me and my family. I’ve been shut off three times in the last three years. Two of those times were in winter and two of those times were when I was during an unpaid maternity leave.

“In our neighborhood at least, we already help each other out when we get shut off. Oftentimes, my neighbor and I, when one of us has gotten shut off, have run an extension cord from one place to another to keep the fridge on. So if there is an opportunity to share power through community solar we are definitely already doing that. So we definitely would love to learn how to do that with solar.”

“Having to pay DTE and having all your energy go out your door with these older homes is a major issue over here, especially for people who just can’t afford it. They are living on a fixed income.”