Climate Change

DTE Energy is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electric generation by 20 percent from 2010 levels by 2020 and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electric generation by 40 percent from 2010 levels by 2030.

To reach these goals, DTE Energy is participating in a number of regulatory and voluntary initiatives. Below are some of our ongoing programs designed to reduce, offset or prevent carbon emissions from power plant operations.

Since 2008, DTE Energy has driven investments of $1 billion in renewable energy, making us the largest investor in renewable energy in Michigan. Not only does wind power reduce our carbon footprint, it also spurs long-term economic growth and job opportunities. DTE Energy is the largest investor in solar power in Michigan, and we are bringing even more of this zero-emission energy technology to our state. We also support the use of biomass technology by extracting landfill gas for use as a fuel.

We offer a complete range of ideas and programs to help our residential customers save energy. We also offer ways to save energy for business too. From quick fixes to long-term improvements to rebate information, we can help everyone be more energy efficient and reduce energy bills.

DTE Energy is researching new technologies to make carbon capture and geologic carbon storage practical for both new and existing fossil-fuel power plants. DTE Energy also is an active partner in a number of hardwood forest restoration projects across the United States.

We have participated in carbon trading markets to help establish and understand the complexities of that option for reducing carbon emissions.

When it comes to reducing greenhouse gases, no energy source matches nuclear power, the nation’s largest source of carbon-free electricity. In Michigan, 87% of the carbon-free, base-load electricity comes from nuclear power generation.

Fermi 2 has been providing reliable, cost-effective power to our 2.2 million electric customers in southeast Michigan for more than 20 years. DTE Energy has filed and application with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requesting a renewal of the Fermi 2 nuclear plant operating license through 2045 (the current license expires in 2025).