DETROIT (FOX 2) – If you get your natural gas from DTE, expect to pay a bit more for it soon after a rate increase was approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC).

On Thursday, the commission approved a rate increase of $113,788,000, about 57 percent less than the increase the utility was seeking.

DTE filed a request in January to raise rates by $266 million, with $106 million already reflected in rates from a previously approved infrastructure surcharge, for a net increase of $160 million. According to the MPSC, the company said the additional money will be used to finance infrastructure improvements and upgrades to natural gas transmission and distribution systems.

A gas rate hike was last approved in December 2021, when the utility raised prices by $95 million.

How much will gas bills go up?

The rate increase will begin on November 21.

According to the MPSC, the average household that gets their gas from DTE will see their bills increase by about $1.98 per month as a result of the recent approval.

In addition to this increase, customers will begin to see an Infrastructure Recovery Mechanism (IRM) surcharge on their bills, which will cost approximately 66 cents. This surcharge will increase annually until 2029, when the average increase will be a total of $6.28.

What about electricity rates?

MPSC is still considering DTE Enery’s request to increase electricity tariffs.

Earlier this year, DTE submitted a request to raise rates by $456.4 million annually.

Increasing help for low incomes

Along with approving the rate increase, the MPSC approved an increase in DTE’s low-income assistance credit for gas customers. It will be $40 per month, up from $30.