Rumor Debunked: No $45 Voucher From DTE For Those Who Lost Power
DETROIT (WWJ) - If you lost all of the food in your refrigerator as a result of the power outage, can you get a voucher from DTE Energy?
Simple answer: No.
A spokeswoman for DTE told WWJ's Vickie Thomas Wednesday that the $45 food voucher you may have heard about to reimburse residents whose groceries spoiled is nothing more than a rumor.
However, standards set by the Michigan Public Service Commission require electric customers to receive a $25 credit if they are without power for more than 120 hours — a five full days — under "catastrophic conditions."
A catastrophic condition is defined as an event that results in an interruption of 10 percent or more of a utility's customers, or an official state of emergency. At the peak of the power outage, more than 800,000 DTE customers were without service. [More on eligibility/how to apply for a credit].
For customers who lost power for one to four days, no financial compensation is being offered by the utility.
Frank Williams — a west side Detroit resident who lost power during the windstorm — said Wednesday that electrical service to his home on Asbury Park has been partially restored.
"A workout; it's been a mental and physical workout, without a doubt," he told Thomas. "I would say for those that have power, if you could give a helping hand, help somebody out."
While still dealing with a brownout, Williams said he thanks God for the little things.
"Amen! I mean, I felt black and white this weekend, seriously," he said. "I was far from digital. I was absolutely analogue this weekend."
As of Wednesday morning, DTE said fewer than 2,000 customers remained in the dark.