Self Direct Program Details for Business Customers
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Self-direct enrollment period for 2012: September 15, 2011 to October 15, 2011
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Annual reporting period for 2011: Reports are due March 1, 2012 (Required by all customers who self-directed)
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Starting in 2011 reports are required annually
In keeping with energy conservation legislation enacted by the Michigan legislature in December 2008, large DTE Energy (electric only) customers may choose to self-direct and implement their own energy optimization plan. Customers who choose to self-direct are exempt from the mandatory energy optimization electric surcharge(s), with the exception of a portion of the surcharge that funds the low-income programs as well as the associated cost to administer the program.
To choose this self-direct option, select the appropriate energy plan below and fill out the required information. Return your completed form to DTE Energy, which must be postmarked by October 15, 2011. If your form is not received by this date, you will automatically be included in the DTE Energy optimization program.
DISCLAIMER: The Michigan Public Service Commission(MPSC) is in the process of drafting rules regulating the Energy Optimization program, including the Self-directed program. The customer is subject to and responsible for any further and/or revised requirements contained in such rules. DTE Energy is not responsible for any further MPSC consequences or requirements, which apply to your location.
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Self Direct Program Eligibility Requirements
Program Eligibility
- Non-residential electric customer of DTE Energy
- Have a satisfactory bill payment history
- Annual peak demand of 1 megawatt (MW) or greater per single site or Annual peak demand of 5 MW or greater per aggregated sites of customers
- Not include sites or accounts in their self-directed plan that have received an energy optimization rebate or incentive from an electric provider and are within the calculated waiting period. The waiting period in months is equal to the total rebate amount divided by the current month’s EO surcharge. If the waiting period will lapse after the self-directed plan filing deadline, but before the self-directed plan year begins on January 1, a customer may include those sites or accounts during the upcoming plan period.
- Secure the services of an energy optimization service company to develop and implement your self-direct plan if your site is less than 2MW or less than 10MW in aggregate. A plan consisting of multiple customers is required to use the services of an energy optimization service company
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NOTE: Only customer plans with single sites >2 MW or >10 MW in aggregate are exempt from securing an energy optimization service company.
Note: Peak demand requirements will decrease to 1MW for both single and aggregated sites in 2014.
Minimum Savings Requirements
- Minimum incremental (new each year) savings of Self-directed Plans must meet or exceed the energy savings performance standards based on annual usage. To get an idea of your minimum savings requirements, multiply your annual electric use by the following percentages or complete the application. Project savings are annualized.
| Plan Year | Percentage |
| 2012 | 1.0 Percent |
| 2013 | 1.0 Percent |
| 2014 | 1.0 Percent |
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Self-Directed Enrollment Applications and Energy Plan Options
- Understand the self-directed program requirements as described by Michigan Law.
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If you choose to self-direct, you will not be able to apply for incentive rebates for electrical energy-saving projects from DTE Energy.
- Secure services of an energy optimization services company if your site is less than 2MW or less than 10MW in aggregate.
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Select one of the following two methods you wish to use for establishing base annual usage:
- Complete one application for each plan
- Plans expiring December 31 of the current year, have the following options to extend the plan
- Option 1 – Complete a new application and submit by October 15 of current year
- Option 2 – Amend your plan with updated base usage and submit for approval by October 15 of current year
- Contact our hotline if you have questions as application errors and blanks will delay application processing
Timeline
- Open Enrollment Period and submission of Self-direct Plan is Sept. 15, 2011 – Oct. 15, 2011
- All plans must be signed and post marked by October 15, 2011
- Approve plans (Oct. 15, 2011 – Nov. 30, 2011)
- Self-directed Program starts (Jan. 1, 2012)
Where to send the plan
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Please send the completed plan(s) to:
DTE Energy Your Energy Savings Program
Attention: Self-direct Program
P.O. Box 11289
Detroit, MI 48211
E-mail: YourEnergySavings@kema.com
Fax: 877.607.0744
NOTE: To expedite the process, a signed PDF copy may be e-mailed or faxed. A signed original copy still must be mailed to the address above.
Contact Information
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If you have questions about submitting your plan, please contact our program hotline: 866.796.0512, Press "3", Request Self Direct program manager or E-mail: YourEnergySavings@kema.com
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Additional Self-directed Customer Reporting Requirements
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Annual reports of implemented savings projects. Every year, you are required to submit a biennial report of implemented savings projects. The MPSC has the statutory authority to assess penalties of up to two times the normal energy optimization surcharge in proportion of the shortfall in achieving your minimum energy optimization savings goals. You are encouraged to plan for savings that exceed the minimum savings goal. There is no penalty for not achieving your planned savings when you meet the minimum goal. Reports are due 60 days after the last day of term covered by your report. Reports are due March 1.
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Amendments to plans. Amendments may be used to increase or reduce the terms of a plan. Amended plans are multiyear plans and should be two years or longer. Amendments are required to avoid plan expirations and also should be accompanied with notifications of failure to meet the minimum EO standard, partial terminations or changes in base usage. Plan amendments are required every two years to update energy usage and minimum savings requirements.
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Self-directed Energy Optimization Program Termination notice. This notice allows a customer to voluntarily return to the provider’s Energy Optimization program. Upon return to the provider’s EO program, the customer becomes eligible for incentives provided by the utility’s Energy Optimization program and is responsible to pay applicable energy optimization surcharges from which they previously had been exempt. The customer still is liable for savings shortfalls that may have occurred during the self-directed program. Full termination notices should include an annual report listing measures implemented up to termination. Partial terminations should include a plan amendment. Terminations become effective when the request is approved by DTE Energy. Once terminated, the full EO surcharges will be applied to your bill on the next billing cycle. Please contact the Business team for reporting requirements.
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The Michigan Public Service Commission may require additional information about your plans and reports from the provider or customer.
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Annual Report
- The Annual report must be submitted by March 1 of every odd year starting in 2012 and covering the prior year of your plan. Last year’s templates are available below for reference. Templates for year 2011 are currently under development.
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All reports must be submitted using the attached reporting template:
Timeline
- All reports must be signed and post marked by March 1, 2012
Where to send the Biennial report:
- DTE Energy Your Energy Savings Program
Attention: Self-direct Program
P.O. Box 11289
Detroit, MI 48211
E-mail: YourEnergySavings@kema.com
Fax: 877.607.0744
NOTE: To expedite the process, a signed PDF copy may be e-mailed or faxed. A signed original copy still must be mailed to the address above.
Contact Information
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If you have questions about submitting your plan, please contact our program hotline: 866.796.0512, Press "3", Request Self Direct program manager or E-mail: YourEnergySavings@kema.com
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For Additional Information
- More information about the DTE Energy Optimization Program incentives and services may be found at YourEnergySavings.com (not eligible to customers choosing self-direct).
- More details about the self-directed plan's rules may be found on the Michigan Public Service Commission's (MPSC) website
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Energy Optimization Service Company (EOSC)
- The Michigan Public Service Commission established an approval process for energy optimization service companies. Please visit the MPSC website to learn more about energy optimization service companies.
- To understand the requirements to become an approved EOSC, please visit the MPSC ESCO site.
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