DTE summarizes support for communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic

• Federal Cares Act allows funds to flow directly to customers in need

From the time DTE Energy announced, and then extended a shutoff moratorium in March of 2020, DTE, its employees and the DTE Energy Foundation have worked tirelessly to provide help for our customers and communities.

At the start of the pandemic DTE employees performed door-to-door wellness checks and restored service for thousands of customers out of concern for public safety.  DTE and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services distributed $13.4 million in LIHEAP funds directly to more than 20,000 of our most vulnerable customers in 2020, and DTE supplied an additional $10 million to reduce arrears further for these customers. Today, nearly 120,000 of DTE's customers are now on affordable payment plans, which protect their service from interruption. 

Additional support through the federal government’s CARES Act makes funds available to states, including Michigan, to help low-income customers and customers experiencing financial hardship pay their energy bill. These funds increase funding for existing programs like the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

DTE Energy and the DTE Foundation also helped vulnerable customers and communities, financially and through other vital support.

The DTE Foundation:

• Invested $21 million in communities through grants and donations.
• Gave 600,000 masks and 6,000 gallons of hand sanitizer and 1.2M gloves to help Detroit small businesses reopen safely.
• Became a founding partner of Detroit Means Business with the DTE Foundation providing a $400,000 grant to help small businesses grow and thrive through the pandemic.
• Raised $1.3 million for Michigan Association of United Ways and Michigan Community Action.
• Identified and engaged technical support organizations, like the Accounting Aid Society of Detroit, to provide advisory services to Detroit small businesses applying for COVID-19 financial relief funds.
• Provided 51,000 tablets and internet access for Detroit Public Schools students.
• Donated 2 million KN95 masks to local emergency managers, first responders and hospitals; and more
• Recently awarded over $350,000 in grants to seven West Michigan-based organizations to boost access to jobs, education and basic needs for people who are disadvantaged.

DTE Energy employees worked 47,000+ volunteer hours to support local nonprofits, and the company itself donated $10 million to THAW, the United Way, and other agencies supporting the most vulnerable in our communities.

DTE also contributes to communities where we live and serve in Michigan through local taxes. Over the last 5 years, DTE has paid more than $1 billion in taxes to the State of Michigan and our local communities.

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 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, and energy marketing and trading. As an environmental leader, DTE utility operations will reduce carbon dioxide and methane emissions by more than 80% by 2040 to produce cleaner energy while keeping it safe, reliable and affordable. DTE Electric and Gas aspire to achieve net zero carbon and greenhouse gas emissions 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/dteenergy.

Contact: Chris Lamphear, DTE Energy, 313.235.5555