DTE Plans for Zero Emissions by 2050

DTE Energy has a lofty goal: zero net carbon emissions by 2050.

By 2040, DTE Energy is looking to have an 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions from energy production by transitioning to renewable energy, leading up to the company’s zero carbon emissions goal by 2050.

The energy company, with more than a million electricity customers throughout southeast Michigan and the Thumb region, has been expanding its renewable energy portfolio to include more wind and solar energy production.

DTE has approached several communities over the past few years in the hopes of establishing wind farms or individual turbines on private property. The move has been successful in some areas while not in others for concerns over health, noise, damage to wildlife and others. However, officials in communities which have embraced turbines have reported positive results.

DTE Manager of Renewable Energy Development Matt Wagner says there are a number of economic benefits to wind energy, in addition to any side benefits of the energy company being in those communities as well, like supporting local charities and community events.