Project News
Being part of a community is more than simply doing business there. It's about doing our part to help the community and our customers thrive. That's why we believe employee volunteerism, contributions and sponsorships, community involvement and environmental stewardship are so important. Here are just a few of the upcoming regional events that Detroit Edison, the DTE Energy Foundation, and our Renewable Energy team are supporting this summer.
July 18 - Elkton Wind Turbine Day
July 26 - Aug. 1 - Huron County Fair 4H Livestock Auction
Aug. 7 - 16 - Cheeseburger in Paradise (Caseville)
Sept. 19-20 - Kinde Community Festival
A news release issued by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on July 16 announced the publication of the DOE’s 2008 Wind Technologies Market Report. According to the report, the USA is the global leader for the fourth consecutive year in wind power investment and capacity.
“Specifically, U.S. wind power capacity additions increased by 60 percent in 2008, representing a $16 billion investment in new wind projects…. Wind projects accounted for 42% of all new electric generating capacity added in the U.S. in 2008, and wind now delivers nearly 2% of the nation’s electricity supply.” Both a PowerPoint summary and the full report are available for download.
We’ve posted some great pictures from the Wind Grantor Dinner last December and the Embracing Our Earth celebration in May. Click on the name of the event to go to that photo album.
On June 2, the Michigan Public Service Commission approved DTE Energy’s plans to create new renewable energy and energy efficiency options for its customers, as required by the Clean, Renewable and Efficient Energy Act, PA 295 of 2008.
“We appreciate the quick action of the MPSC to approve these exciting new programs,” said Anthony F. Earley, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of DTE Energy. “We are planning a host of new Michigan-based renewable energy projects, as well as a number of efficiency programs that will enable our customers to save energy and money for many years to come.”
The Board issued its proposed report detailing its findings on June 2, 2009. Local governments have until August 4 to provide commentary on the report, and two public hearings will follow in Bad Axe and in Scottville. Not surprisingly to us, Huron County was identified as one of the top four regions in the state for wind energy.
The WEZB was established in December 2008 pursuant to Public Act 295 of 2008 (PA 295), also known as the "Clean, Renewable and Efficient Energy Act." The 11-member board, which includes Detroit Edison Vice President Trevor Lauer, is required to issue a report that, among other things, includes a list of regions in the state with the "highest level of wind energy harvest potential." This report will be used to expedite transmission planning to support the anticipated incremental load of wind turbines in those areas.
Detroit Edison has entered into a 20-year agreement with Heritage Sustainable Energy to purchase renewable power that will help Detroit Edison meet the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). Michigan-based Heritage Sustainable Energy will be installing 7 – 8 wind turbines that will produce about 15 MW of renewable energy at a wind farm near Cadillac. The wind turbines are expected to be operational by late 2009. Read the press release.
A recent Detroit News article, based on interviews with leaders from the Department of Labor and Economic Growth, DTE Energy, Consumers Energy, and NextEnergy, notes that Michigan “ranks 22nd in wind power generation, trailing far behind Minnesota, Iowa and California.” A useful graphic points out the location of the 5 existing wind farms in Michigan – in Mackinaw, Traverse City, Richland Twp., Oliver Twp. and Chandler Twp..
The 5th Annual “Embracing Our Earth” festival organized by the Huron Intermediate School District focuses on renewable and alternative sources of energy, with loads of informational presentations, student competitions, interactive displays, a children’s carnival, and more. Come visit the DTE Energy display to learn more about our plans for a wind farm in Huron County and other alternative energy projects in the works. This is a great opportunity to get your questions answered. See you there! Visit the Embracing Our Earth Web page for details.
DTE Energy filed our proposal with the Michigan Public Service Commission to add 1,200 MW of renewable energy to our portfolio by 2015. A portion of this renewable energy is projected to come from the construction of our wind farm in Huron County, with the remainder supplied by the purchase of Michigan-generated Renewable Energy Certificates and the possible development of two solar power pilot projects. The MPSC now has 90 days to review the plans.
DTE Energy conducted an Awards Ceremony at the Huron Intermediate School District on Feb. 23 to honor local recipients of the Energy & Our World Mini Grants for Educators program. Projects selected for grants this year focused on teaching students about power generation, energy distribution, renewable energy technologies, environmental issues and energy conservation.
The program has awarded nearly $800,000 since 1990 to teachers statewide to fund science projects that encourage students' curiosity and excitement about energy. We are proud of these teachers’ contributions to education and are excited that students who participate in these activities may be instrumental in our future renewable energy projects. The Huron County Press story details the grant honorees and their projects.
Detroit Edison has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to purchase Michigan-based renewable energy credits that will help the utility meet state requirements for providing electricity generated from renewable resources.
Detailed bid documents are available at www.poweradvocate.com. Potential bidders must register on the PowerAdvocate Web site to access the bid documents. Bidder questions, which must be posted to the Web site, are due by Jan. 13, 2009. Responses to the RFP are due by Jan. 23, 2009. For full details on the announcement, see the Press release.
On Dec. 10, DTE Energy again hosted a banquet and reception for over 300 wind energy grantors in Huron County. Guests were treated to a delicious dinner, followed by speeches by Trevor Lauer, Vice President of Marketing for DTE Energy and a member of the Governor-appointed Michigan Wind Energy Resource Zone Board, and other members of the DTE Energy renewable energy development team. A lively question and answer session followed.
The three bills that comprised Michigan's energy package are now law. Governor Jennifer Granholm signed the bills earlier this week.
"This historic package is the result of compromise and hard work from a lot of people, including legislators, our Public Service Commission, the renewable energy industry, Michigan's utility companies, and so many more," she said. "Together, we are sending a signal that Michigan is ready to build a bright future for our citizens by creating jobs, diversifying our economy, and meeting our 21st century energy needs while protecting both our pocketbooks and our planet." The package also was the subject of the Governor's Oct. 3 radio address.
During early fall, Detroit Edison contractors will conduct preliminary geotechnical evaluations at several locations in the county. Soil samples and related tests will evaluate soil conditions to aid in planning for wind turbine foundations and other activities related to wind farm design. Grantors affected by these efforts will be contacted in advance to discuss specific activities and schedules for these efforts.
