Should Detroit Switch Off DTE?

After severe storms and a tornado swept through Detroit over the Labor Day weekend, leaving many across the region without electricity for days (including yours truly for a second holiday weekend this year, totaling nearly two weeks without power), Norris Howard and I break down the Detroit City Council's unanimous vote to explore alternatives to DTE Energy.

We discuss the council's decision, look at the broader implications of utility monopolies in Metro Detroit, and share our personal experiences dealing with frequent power grid failures across the area.

Link to report discussed via the Detroit News.

Key Topics & Timestamps

• 00:45 – Gratitude: Shoutouts to everyone who came out to see us at the Detroit Sandwich Party at Eastern Market, plus a special thanks to new Patreon members!

• 02:00 – Weekend Highlights: Norris recaps his experience at the Detroit Jazz Fest, highlighting a performance by the Low End Quintet at Dee Dee's / The Valade.

• 03:45 – News: Detroit City Council vs. DTE: Details on Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero's unamiously passed measure directing the legal department to research ways to diversify the city's energy sources and reduce dependence on DTE Energy.

• 05:30 – Monopolies & Utility Accountability: A discussion on rate hikes, service reliability, grid hardening, and a lack of competition.

• 09:15 – Public Power Alternatives: Looking at how nearby communities like Ann Arbor and Wyandotte's relationship to public utilities and what that might mean for Metro Detroit.

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