SEEL joins DTE’s MIGreenPower, enhancing sustainability efforts

DETROIT, February 19, 2020 — SEEL, LLC (Solutions for Energy Efficient Logistics), one of the leading 100% minority-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned energy program management companies in the nation, announces its enrollment as the first minority-owned corporation to join DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower program. Through DTE’s MIGreenPower, SEEL will provide 100% clean energy to its Detroit-based headquarters, and SEEL further extends its commitment to clean energy by organizing its employees to also enroll in the program.

DTE’s MIGreenPower is a voluntary clean energy program open to all DTE Electric customers who want to access more renewable energy and deliver on their sustainability goals. To date, MIGreenPower customers have offset the equivalent of 40,301 metric tons of carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas benefit equivalent of 666,390 tree seedlings planted and allowed to grow for 10 years.

“We’re excited to join DTE’s MIGreenPower. SEEL has been in the energy efficiency space since the beginning of the company. Our progression to renewable is a natural one,” said Louis E. James, president and CEO of the company. “By participating in MIGreenPower, we’re increasing our commitment to reduce carbon emissions which is our mission. Our vision as a company is to reach carbon neutrality and this gets us closer to that goal.” 

James founded SEEL in 2009 after he acquired a DTE contract to provide energy efficiency assessments and installation of energy savings products. Within the first two years of operation, the company performed so well that it was awarded the Andromeda Star of Energy Award from the Alliance to Save Energy, one of the highest national awards for outstanding work in the area of energy conservation. The company celebrated its ten-year anniversary in 2019; a decade in which SEEL won several awards, including the Supplier of the Year from the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council and Supplier of the Year from the National Minority Supplier Development Council. 

“Given DTE’s partnership with SEEL, accelerating clean energy development together is a natural next step,” said Irene Dimitry, vice president of Renewable Energy, DTE Energy. “We appreciate SEEL’s environmental leadership and are proud to welcome them into our community of partners who are using MIGreenPower to deliver on their sustainability goals.”

SEEL joins General Motors, Ford Motor Company, the University of Michigan, the Detroit Zoo and others as early participants in the program. Providing flexible clean energy programs to help DTE’s industrial, business and residential customers access more renewable energy complements DTE’s own goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As Michigan’s leading producer of and investor in clean energy, DTE will triple our renewable energy generation capacity over the next 10 years while reducing our carbon emissions by half. 

“It’s important for all companies to participate in the MIGreenPower program, including minority firms. To extend our support of the program, we’re urging our entire Michigan staff to enroll in MIGreenPower – we're all in.” said James. 

About SEEL

SEEL, LLC is a leading national certified minority business enterprise (MBE), service-disabled, veteran-owned (DVBE) energy efficiency program management firm. The company offers a wide array of energy management services from energy efficiency program design and implementation to appliance recycling and management of trade ally networks. SEEL has served more than a half-million households, multifamily dwellings and small businesses on behalf of its utility customers. The company currently operates eight offices in five states and is a market leader in engaging hard-to-reach and income-qualified customers. More information about SEEL, LLC is available at seelllc.com, facebook, LinkedIn.

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 utility operations 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 Electric aspires to achieve net zero carbon by 2050. DTE is committed to 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.

For further information, members of the media may contact:

Cathy Nedd, SEEL, 313.350.4241 

Dana Blankenship, DTE Energy, 313.235.5555