by
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Speaker Matt Hall
Detroit News Lansing reporter Craig Mauger pulls back the curtain on the generous contributions a DTE Energy-funded group has made to key politicians in Lansing.
The News obtained the annual tax filing of the group, Michigan Energy First, which contributed $550,000 to a fundraising account tied to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2024 and $750,000 to an account connected to state House Speaker Matt Hall.
Mauger writes:
The disclosures came as the Michigan Public Service Commission, with members appointed by Whitmer, considers DTE's plans to service a massive data center proposed for Saline Township. Likewise, throughout much of 2024, the commission was weighing an electricity rate increase pursued by DTE. In January 2025, the panel approved a $217 million annual revenue increase for DTE, amounting to a rate hike of about 5% for residential customers.
Michigan Energy First’s $550,000 went to Road to Michigan’s Future, a nonprofit that supports Whitmer. The $750,000 went to Building a Better Economy, a nonprofit that supports Hall, The News reports.
Eric Doster, attorney for Michigan Energy First, tells The News that any insinuation the group expects something in return for the donations is “blatantly false.” He said the group’s mission is to promote good and sound energy and public policy.
