DETROIT, July 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy,
Michigan's leading producer of
renewable energy, today announced that the Michigan Public Service
Commission (MPSC) has provided conditional* approval for its
proposed purchase of three new Michigan wind parks, increasing the company's
renewable energy portfolio nearly 50% and furthering DTE's
commitment to providing clean, affordable and reliable power to its
customers.
DTE will assume ownership and operation of all three projects
upon completion, slated for the fourth quarter of 2020. The new
wind parks will add 455 MW of renewable energy to DTE's generation
mix, enough to power 107,000 homes. The company will use at
least two of the new wind projects to meet the renewable energy
needs of its largest commercial and industrial customers, including
Ford, General Motors and the University of
Michigan, who have enrolled in MIGreenPower, DTE's voluntary
renewable energy program.
"Investing in renewable energy is a key part of our commitment
to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80% by 2040," said
Jerry Norcia, president and CEO,
DTE Energy. "Adding these new wind
parks to our portfolio will help us meet the clean energy needs of
our largest customers who have chosen MIGreenPower. We also have
aggressive plans to expand our voluntary renewable energy programs,
enabling more customers to reduce their carbon footprint and meet
personal or business sustainability goals. We are proud of the
environmental and economic benefits these projects will bring to
Michigan."
DTE will introduce a suite of voluntary renewable energy
programs under the MIGreenPower umbrella designed to meet a wide
range of customer interests. These will complement the company's
two existing programs, one for residential and small business
customers and one for large commercial and industrial
customers.
Today's MPSC decision clears the way for DTE to purchase
Michigan's largest wind parks,
Isabella I & Isabella II, from Apex Clean Energy. The two
projects, totaling 383 MW and located in mid-Michigan's Isabella
County, will be the largest clean energy projects in the
state as well as the largest renewable energy projects in DTE's
portfolio when they begin commercial operation in 2020. Apex will
start construction on the projects later this year. DTE also will
purchase Fairbanks Wind from Heritage Sustainable Energy, a
Traverse City-based wind
developer. The 72 MW park will be located in Delta County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. While this park
was approved as part of DTE Energy's renewable energy plan, it may
alternatively be used to support additional sales under the
company's MIGreenPower program.
DTE's renewable energy projects not only benefit the
environment, they are helping drive Michigan's economy. DTE has driven investment
of more than $2.8 billion in
renewable assets since 2009 and will invest an additional
$2 billion over the next five years.
DTE's renewable energy projects have created or sustained more than
4,000 Michigan jobs while powering
the equivalent of more than 500,000 homes with clean energy. At
DTE's newest wind park, Pine River, 90% of the labor during
construction was completed by Michigan workers.
*From the Commission: "Since the Commission
made changes to DTE's renewable energy plan, the company has 14
days to indicate whether it supports the changes. If the company
does not agree, the Commission's approval of parts of the plan are
voided and DTE must file a revised renewable energy plan by
Nov. 1."
About DTE Energy
DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is
a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the
development and management of energy-related businesses and
services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric
company serving 2.2 million customers in Southeast
Michigan and a natural gas company serving 1.3 million
customers in Michigan. The DTE portfolio includes energy
businesses focused on power and industrial projects, renewable
natural gas, natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage, and
energy marketing and trading. As an environmental leader, DTE will
reduce carbon dioxide and methane emissions by more than 80 percent
by 2040 to produce cleaner energy while keeping it safe,
reliable and affordable. DTE is committed to being a serving
with its energy through volunteerism, education and
employment initiatives, philanthropy and economic progress.
Information about DTE is available at dteenergy.com,
empoweringmichigan.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and
facebook.com.
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SOURCE DTE Energy