Award Recognizes Outstanding Support of Low Income Customers DETROIT, May 30 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy and its subsidiaries Michigan Consolidated Gas Company and Detroit Edison have been selected by the National Fuel Funds Network (NFFN), as the recipient of the 2007 Corporate Excellence Award. The company was nominated by The Heat And Warmth Fund (THAW), DTE Energy's partnering agency for emergency energy assistance in Michigan. NFFN's Corporate Excellence Award recognizes an individual or utility company, who has demonstrated outstanding support for low-income customers in the region they serve. The award is the highest honor that a utility can receive from the advocacy organization. The award will be presented on June 4th at the 23rd Annual National Fuel Funds Network Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. "Energy assistance programs provide a vital safety net for low income families and individuals. Making sure these programs are available for customers who need them is critically important to us," said Anthony F. Earley, Jr., DTE Energy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We're honored that the National Fuel Funds Network has recognized our efforts and are grateful to THAW for nominating us for this prestigious award." Key in NFFN's decision were: DTE Energy's long-standing commitment to low-income customers through internal programs and philanthropic support, their national Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) advocacy work and their support of innovative projects, including most recently a partnership with The Skillman Foundation and The Heat And Warmth Fund to establish the Good Neighborhoods Initiative Osborn Energy Program. "Each year the National Fuel Funds Network presents its Corporate Excellence Award to honor a utility that has provided innovative and outstanding service to its customers with limited income. DTE Energy has done just that for many years," said NFFN Executive Director George Coling. "The Network's membership consists of over 300 nonprofit and government agencies and companies throughout the United States who provide energy assistance, so the award is recognition by an entire community for DTE Energy's exemplary corporate responsibility for energy assistance." Edd Snyder, President, THAW Board of Directors noted, "The support of community partners like DTE Energy is critical to the success of THAW's mission. We are deeply appreciative of everything they do. Their solicitation for funds on our behalf from their customers, and their dollar-for-dollar matching contribution allows us to stretch our funds even further to help as many people in need as possible. It was only fitting that we nominate and honor them for their overall excellence." About National Fuel Funds Network Founded in 1984, the National Fuel Funds Network (NFFN) is an association of charitable fuel funds. NFFN's main mission is to increase the resources available to meet the energy needs of people with low income. The Network's membership encompasses more than 300 members, including private fuel funds, also called energy banks or utility assistance funds; utilities; community action and social service agencies; government and Tribal programs and private citizens. NFFN Programs include: The Annual Conference in which participants receive state of the art training and continuing education; technical assistance to members; Washington Action Day for LIHEAP each winter; a website -- http://www.nationalfuelfunds.org/; and the quarterly National Energy Assistance Report. The Network also promotes the creation and improvement of fuel funds and helps build statewide energy assistance coalitions. About DTE Energy DTE Energy is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its largest operating units are Detroit Edison, an electric utility serving 2.2 million customers in Southeastern Michigan, and MichCon, a natural gas utility serving 1.3 million customers in Michigan. The DTE Energy portfolio of businesses also includes non-utility energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects, coal and gas midstream, unconventional gas production and energy trading. In 2006, DTE Energy posted revenues of approximately $9 billion. Information about DTE Energy is available at http://www.dteenergy.com/. About The Heat And Warmth Fund The Heat And Warmth Fund (THAW) is an independent, nonprofit organization that improves the quality of life in Michigan and prevents human suffering by providing low-income individuals and families with energy assistance during crisis and advocating for long-term solutions to energy issues affecting the poor. People can apply for assistance at more than 100 collaborating agencies such as Community Action agencies, The Salvation Army, and other organizations that provide a full range of services including THAW's energy assistance program. To find a THAW agency visit http://www.thawfund.org/, call your local 2-1-1 or 1 (800) 866-8429 (THAW). To make a secure credit card donation, visit http://www.thawfund.org/. DATASOURCE: The Heat And Warmth Fund CONTACT: Diane McCloskey for The Heat And Warmth Fund, office, +1-313-893-9470 or cell, +1-313-808-0181 Web site: http://www.dteenergy.com/ http://www.nationalfuelfunds.org/ http://www.thawfund.org/

Copyright