"If I had to give them a grade. I guess I give them an F. I think they're failing," Nessel told CBS News Detroit.

Holding DTE Accountable: Attorney General Dana Nessel's Critique
DTE customers throughout Michigan have recently been hit with two separate power outages, leaving many in the dark and feeling as though they have not been given reliable service. Attorney General Dana Nessel has been at the forefront of holding DTE accountable, and recently shared her thoughts with CBS News Detroit. 

Attorney General Nessel's Critique of DTE
Attorney General Nessel was very clear in her assessment of DTE's response to the recent power outages: "If I had to give them a grade, I guess I give them an F. I think they're failing." She noted that calling these outages an inconvenience is an understatement, and believes that the state-granted monopoly that DTE enjoys means they should be held to a much higher standard.

Nessel has been advocating for better consumer protection measures over the past four years, and pushes back when DTE attempts to raise rates. She suggested increasing the credits available to customers for outages, which are currently set at $35, and has also proposed a subsidy program for generators as a way of better addressing future outages. 

In regards to discrepancies between DTE's dashboard and outage map, Nessel believes this is yet another example of why DTE needs to be held accountable. She noted that several legislators have proposed hearings and drafts of legislation that will establish more consistent utility regulations to protect consumers. 

The Need for Changes in the Wake of Power Outages
The recent power outages demonstrate the need for better consumer protection policies, and it is clear that DTE customers need better service and accountability. Attorney General Nessel has been pushing hard for change, and hopefully her advocacy will result in better consumer protection measures. 

As the Attorney General said, "You have a number of legislators that are prepared to act. And, you know, who I think are probably willing to risk their own political future, in an effort to make sure that we finally, at long last, have some accountability here." 

Conclusion
The recent power outages have highlighted the need for better consumer protection measures, and Attorney General Nessel has been an invaluable advocate in the fight for accountability. We hope that legislators continue to push for better consumer protection policies, so that DTE customers can have reliable, safe, and affordable services.