DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – The Detroit City Council does not have the authority to grant a moratorium to its residents to prevent their natural gas and electricity from being shut off for nonpayment during the winter season.

City Council Member Angela Whitfield Calloway asked the city to look into the issue.

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The city’s Legislative Policy Division responded by stating, “In conclusion, the City of Detroit does not possess the power to override state law, which vests the MPSC [Michigan Public Service Commission] with the authority to regulate private utility companies.”

The city had considered the moratorium to protect children and seniors from freezing during cold weather, according to city documents. Other reasons included preventing property damage cause by freezing pipes, reducing costs to emergency shelter services, keeping families together and even improving student education performance by stabilizing home environments.

State Rep. Tonya Myers Phillips (D-Detroit) had introduced a bill in September 2025 to prevent utility shutoffs from vulnerable families during cold winter months. That bill never got out of committee.