DTE Energy Proposes Renewable Energy Program

Public Act 295, which was passed by the Michigan legislature last October, calls for the state's electric utilities to serve 10 percent of their retail sales with renewable energy by 2015. To meet this goal, DTE Energy's March 4 filing proposes adding 1,200 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy. The company plans to construct renewable energy projects to meet about half of this capacity, and contract with third-party producers for the rest.

"These ambitious proposals represent a significant investment in Michigan's energy future," said Anthony Earley Jr., chairman and CEO of DTE Energy. "Comprehensive energy legislation enacted last year has provided a framework for us to move forward with the development of renewable energy, as well as efficiency programs that will enable customers to save energy and money."

DTE Energy expects the majority of its renewable energy to come from wind resources, with a small portion, about 20 MW, coming from two proposed solar energy pilot projects. In preparation for developing its renewable energy plan, DTE Energy has acquired easements on more than 50,000 acres of land in Huron County in Michigan's Thumb region for development of a large-scale wind farm.