DTE Energy sets ambitious alt energy goals for near future

DTE Energy plans to add a lot more alternative energy to its portfolio soon -- about 1,200 megawatts of energy produced by renewable resources.

The downtown-based firm just filed its alternative energy goals with the Michigan Public Service Commission. These goals will allow it to meet new alternative energy requirements, 10 percent of retail sales must be from renewable sources by 2015. That means much more power from things like wind and solar sources.

DTE Energy plans to produce half of that requirement itself and contract out the other half. Most of that energy will come from wind sources, such as the 50,000 acres of easements for a wind farm in the thumb. A smaller portion of 20 megawatts will come from solar.

DTE Energy is also planning to make its programs more energy efficient, like encouraging upgrades to Energy Star appliances in residential areas or helping commercial customers make their buildings more energy efficient.

Source: DTE Energy
Writer: Jon Zemke