DTE Energy’s Anderson elected chairman at Edison Electric Institute

Gerard Anderson, executive chairman of DTE Energy, was elected chairman of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) board for 2021-22.

Anderson succeeds Ben Fowke, chairman and CEO of Xcel Energy, in that role.

“On behalf of EEI and our member companies, I extend our thanks to Ben Fowke,” EEI President Tom Kuhn said. “During a year of many uncertainties, Ben demonstrated tremendous leadership as he steered our industry’s quick and effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, Ben maintained a strong focus on our industry’s clean energy transition, and he worked to advance solutions to racial and social justice issues that are front and center across our nation. We are grateful for Ben’s dedication to our customers and to our member companies throughout his chairmanship.”

Anderson joined DTE Energy in 1993 and has been president since 2004, CEO since 2010, and chairman since 2011. He was the architect of the company’s strategy to focus on cost and operational excellence and develop its non-regulated businesses. Before DTE Energy, Anderson was a senior consultant at McKinsey & Company, an international management consulting firm. Previously, Anderson served as a vice chair on the EEI board.

“As the country emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, America’s electric companies remain steadfast in our commitment to becoming as clean as we can as fast as we can – while providing our customers and our communities with the reliable, affordable, and secure energy that powers our economy and our lives,” said Anderson. “Despite the many challenges we all faced this past year, EEI’s member companies continued their strong and steady transition to clean energy, and the progress we have made is clear. Today, our industry’s carbon emissions are down 40 percent and are at their lowest level in more than 40 years. We are now focused on developing the new carbon-free technologies that will help to deliver a 100-percent clean energy future.”

He added that the organization will remain focused on advancing racial and social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its communities.

“Our companies can be powerful agents of change, but truly addressing these issues will require focus and persistence – and we intend to demonstrate those qualities,” Anderson said.

EEI also elected were two vice chairs, Warner Baxter, chairman, president, and CEO of Ameren, and Pedro Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International.

“Warner and Pedro are champions for our industry. Each is committed to achieving the long-term goals that will provide the clean energy future, and we are extremely fortunate to have them continue to serve on the EEI leadership team,” Kuhn said.