Michigan Gas Bill Hike Hits October 1 + DTE Seeks $474 Million More From Customers

Corpus Christi LNG expansion moves forward as Michigan utility customers face a $74.5M rate hike, with more increases still pending. - LNG export expansion: FERC released a draft environmental impact statement for Cheniere's Corpus Christi Stage 4 expansion, which could add 24 million tons/year in export capacity — on top of the roughly 111 million tons the U.S. exported in 2025. The project includes four new production trains, a 25.8-mile pipeline, and a third marine berth. Public comment is open through Nov. 9; a final investment decision is expected in the second half of 2027. The expansion comes as global LNG supply remains tight following March's Iranian missile strikes on Qatar and the UAE, which disrupted Strait of Hormuz shipping. - Michigan rate increases: DTE Energy customers face a $74.5M natural gas rate increase starting Oct. 1 (adding $2.85-$2.87/month to average bills), with a separate $474M electric rate request still pending before Michigan's Public Service Commission (decision expected by February). DTE says the increases fund reliability improvements and a shift from coal to natural gas generation, plus battery storage tied to intermittent renewable sources. - Energy analyst Sarah Montalbano (Always On Energy Research): Data center growth is straining grids hardest in states that already retired reliable baseload plants in favor of wind and solar. DTE's request includes no cost allocation for data centers specifically, despite utilities citing large loads as a reason for new investment. She argues coal plants still safely operating should stay online, credits federal 202(c) orders for delaying some retirements, and calls nuclear power the most reliable, emissions-free baseload option — one she says environmentalists should support. Is your state seeing similar utility rate increases? Let us know in the comments. #EnergyPolicy #LNG #Michigan #DTEEnergy #CenterSquare #TheStates