Plans to reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent announced by DTE Energy

Published on May 18, 2017 by Daily Energy Insider Reports

DTE Energy on Tuesday unveiled sustainability initiative plans to reduce the company’s carbon emissions by more than 80 percent by 2050, which aligns with broad efforts to help address climate change.

“I want to be clear that this plan is more than a commitment to a long-term goal in 2050,” Gerry Anderson, DTE Chairman and CEO, said. “We have already begun fundamental transformation in the way we produce power, and we will press that transformation forward steadily in the years and decades ahead, sharply improving environmental outcomes in the process.”

The company’s efforts to cut carbon emissions will lead to a 30 percent reduction in the early 2020s, 45 percent by 2030, 75 percent by 2040, with the ultimate goal of 80 percent by 2050. Reduction efforts will include incorporating more renewable energy, transitioning 24/7 power sources from coal to natural gas, and strengthening options for customers to save energy and reduce bills.

Specifically, DTE Energy’s plans include building an additional 6,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity, supplementing the 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy DTE has built since 2009. The addition of 3,500 megawatts of natural gas-fired energy capacity is expected to ensure reliability going forward.

The company also will continue retiring its coal-fired plants, having already announced the shutdown of 11 coal units by the early 2020s, and plans to invest $5 billion over the next five years to modernize the electric grid and gas infrastructure.

“The transformation of the way we produce power is in full swing,” Anderson said. “Like all big transformations, this one won’t happen overnight. It needs to be planned carefully and will entail big investments, but that can absolutely be done. We are committed to accomplishing this within the timeframe scientists have laid out, and in a way that works for Michigan’s economy, homeowners and businesses.”

DTE Energy has invested more than $2 billion in wind and solar resources since 2009.