Michigan Capitol | Susan J. Demas
Members of one of the state’s foremost environmental advocacy groups are taking the state’s largest electrical utilities to task for more than $250,000 in political contributions made over the past six months.
In a statement last week, the Michigan League of Conservation voters called out Consumers Energy and DTE Energy for political contributions to more than half of members in the Legislature, particularly members sitting on energy policy committees.
“While Michigan families continue to pay the highest rates in the Midwest for the worst service, DTE and Consumers are writing check after check to lawmakers helping their CEOs protect this broken status quo,” Bob Allison, deputy director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters said in a statement. “Michiganders of all political stripes chafe at our elected leaders being so blatantly influenced by the very utilities they, by law, are responsible for overseeing on behalf of us.”
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The issue of political contributions is a bipartisan one, the league said, with DTE cutting $10,000 checks to the Republican and Democratic caucuses in the House and Senate in both the first and second quarter of the year. The company also made political contributions to individual lawmakers. Consumers Energy followed a similar strategy, with both caucuses and several lawmakers receiving thousands in campaign contributions, the league said.
According to the Citizens Utility Board, a consumer advocacy group and energy watchdog, the two companies serve more than 80% of electricity customers in the state, while Michigan ranks among the worst in the nation for energy reliability and affordability.
Additionally, the League notes that the most recent round of donations is only what is publicly reported, pointing to an article from Bridge Michigan which noted that a “dark money” nonprofit linked to Consumers Energy spent more than $4.5 million on campaign donations in 2022 while a nonprofit linked to DTE spent $4.9 million.
In a statement to the Michigan Advance, DTE spokesperson Ryan Lowry said the company is in compliance with all applicable laws regarding corporate donations and political contributions.
“These disclosures showcase DTE’s commitment to our customers and communities we serve, helping us meet our aspiration of being best in the world and best for the world. The political contributions the company makes are supported by the DTE voluntary employee PAC or DTE shareholders – not from customer revenue,” Lowry said.
Consumers Energy Spokesperson Brian Wheeler similarly noted that its political contributions either originate from investor funds, or voluntary contributions employees make to their CMS Energy Employees for Better Government Political Action Committee – never customer dollars.
“[The PAC], is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and governed by an employee-run steering committee that is independent of the Corporation’s officers and Board. Participation in the PAC is voluntary and gives employees a voice in the political process, and all PAC contributions are publicly disclosed on the Secretary of State’s website,” Wheeler said.
The Michigan League of Conservation Voters is one of a host of organizations challenging lawmakers to forgo donations from Michigan’s energy utilities, with 24 members of the Legislature signing on.
The coalition is also backing a ballot initiative to ban regulated utility companies and companies seeking government contracts from making political contributions.
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