In 2016, DTE Energy announced the retirement of three coal-fired generating units among its plants by 2023. The plants are located in River Rouge, St. Clair in East China Township and Trenton. In sum, the plants power around 900,000 homes. The Detroit Free Press wrote that employees at the closing plants will be able to transfer to other facilities and will not lose their jobs.
River Rouge Power Plant's retirement was expedited to 2021 with its last megawatt produced on May 31, 2021, and formally retired on June 4, 2021.
Trenton Channel Power Plant and St. Clair Power Plant retired in 2022, replaced by renewable energy projects.
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It was announced on December 8, 2022, that Monroe Power Plant will retire units 3 and 4 in 2028 and units 1 and 2 in 2032 (originally 2042). Belle River Power Plant will be repurposed to become a natural gas plant in 2026 (originally 2028). The Belle River gas conversion project is expected to extend the life of the plant by at least 13 more years.
The Greenwood Energy Center near Avoca, Michigan serves as a peaking power plant for the utility, generating over 815mW when at full capacity. A turbine replacement project in 2024 is expected to add another 25 years of useful life to the plant, with no current plans to retire the facility.
In 2018, the Michigan Public Service Commission approved Blue Water Energy Center, a natural gas combined-cycle plan. This will replace three retiring coal plants, reducing carbon emissions by 70 percent, and provide power to 850,000 homes.
Blue Water Energy Center began commercial operation on June 6, 2022.
Landfill-based gas-to-energy operations
In May 2017, DTE Energy announced it had acquired "two landfill-based gas-to-energy operations" in Texas. The company wants to expand its operations to alternative vehicle fuel. The operations it acquired were the Fort Bend Power Producers, LLC facility outside of Rosenberg, Texas and the Seabreaze landfill gas development in Angleton, Texas, which has yet to be developed.
After these projects are operational, the company will have five "landfill conversion facilities which capture and convert dangerous landfill gases to pipeline-quality renewable natural gas". The gases will go to fueling transit buses.
EES Coke Battery Facility
EES Coke, a subsidiary of DTE Energy, operates a coke battery facility in River Rouge, Michigan. The facility, which produces metallurgical coke for steelmaking, has been a source of significant environmental and public health concerns in the downriver Detroit area.
History and Operations
The facility was originally built in 1967 by McLouth Steel and was acquired by DTE Energy in 2008. It processes coal into coke, which is used in blast furnaces for steel production. The facility has a production capacity of approximately 1.1 million tons of coke annually.
Environmental Impact
The EES Coke facility has been a major source of air pollution in Wayne County. Environmental monitoring has shown that the facility regularly emits:
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Particulate matter
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Benzene and other hazardous air pollutants
The EES Coke facility's operations have significantly affected nearby communities in River Rouge, Ecorse, and Southwest Detroit. These predominantly low-income and minority neighborhoods have experienced disproportionate environmental burden from industrial operations.
Childhood asthma rates in the area are 3.5 times higher than the state average
Emergency room visits for respiratory issues increased 56% between 2015-2022
Local health surveys have documented elevated rates of chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease
Regulatory Issues and Violations
The facility has faced multiple regulatory actions and violations. In 2018, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) issued violations for exceeding permitted emission limits. A 2020 EPA investigation found multiple Clean Air Act violations. In 2022, the facility was fined $1.8 million for air quality violations and required to install additional pollution controls
Public Health Studies
Several health studies have examined the facility's impact. A 2021 University of Michigan study found elevated levels of respiratory problems in neighborhoods near the facility. Cancer risk assessments by the EPA have identified elevated risks in the surrounding area. Local health departments have reported higher rates of asthma and other respiratory conditions in nearby communities
Future Plans and Mitigation Efforts
In response to regulatory pressure and community concerns, DTE Energy announced in 2023 a $150 million environmental upgrade project for the facility. However, environmental groups and community advocates continue to call for the facility's closure, arguing that the planned improvements are insufficient to protect public health.
DTE Rail Service Inc.
With the bankruptcy of the Penn Central Transportation railroad in 1970, Detroit Edison sought to continue transporting coal from the Monongahela mines in Pennsylvania to a brand new power plant in Monroe, Michigan. However, the bankruptcy of Penn Central left Detroit Edison short of motive power and under capacitated coal hoppers. Detroit Edison then chose to purchase brand new locomotives and coal cars to fit their needs. Purchasing EMD SD40's and GE U30C's for mainline motive power as well as High-Side Articulated Gondolas (with a capacity of 185,000 pounds), this new equipment allowed Detroit Edison to move more coal en masse than what Penn Central was able to do with their equipment. The trains were maintained by Detroit Edison officials but operated by Penn Central crews.
By the late 1980s or early 1990, Detroit Edison discontinued use of their equipment, as Conrail began to supply enough locomotives and rolling stock to meet the power company's needs.
Service Reliability and Infrastructure
DTE Energy has faced ongoing criticism for its service reliability, particularly in Southeast Michigan. The company consistently ranks below average among U.S. utilities for grid reliability metrics, including both the frequency and duration of power outages.
Between 2019-2023, DTE customers experienced an average of 5.3 power outages per year, significantly higher than the national average of 1.4 outages. The average outage duration for DTE customers was 9.2 hours, compared to the national average of 3.1 hours. In 2021, following widespread outages that affected over 500,000 customers, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) launched an investigation into DTE's infrastructure maintenance and reliability programs. A 2022 audit commissioned by the MPSC found that:
58% of DTE's distribution poles were over 40 years old, exceeding their expected service life
The company's tree-trimming program covered only 70% of recommended maintenance areas
Preventive maintenance spending was 23% below industry benchmarks
Poor reliability has led to increased customer complaints and public criticism. In 2022, DTE faced multiple class-action lawsuits from customers seeking compensation for losses due to extended outages. Consumer advocacy groups have argued that the company's reliability issues disproportionately affect low-income communities and elderly residents. In 2023, DTE was ordered to pay $25 million in customer credits following extended outages, and the commission mandated a comprehensive infrastructure improvement plan.
In response to criticism and regulatory pressure, DTE announced a $7 billion grid modernization plan in 2023. The plan includes:
Accelerated pole replacement program
Enhanced tree trimming and vegetation management
Installation of smart grid technology
Underground cable replacement in high-outage areas
However, critics have questioned whether the improvements will adequately address systemic reliability issues, particularly as climate change increases the frequency of severe weather events.
Notable Outage Events
In August 2023, severe storms led to what became DTE's second-largest outage event in company history, with more than 775,000 customers losing power. Some residents remained without electricity for up to eight days, prompting public outcry and investigations by state regulators.
In February 2023, a massive ice storm impacting the Southern part of the state left approximately 641,000 DTE customers without power. The extended restoration time, which exceeded seven days for many customers, led to particular criticism as temperatures remained below freezing.
In August 2021, successive storms resulted in more than 500,000 outages. The company's response drew criticism when it was revealed that some customers experienced up to five separate outages within a single month.
During a June 2021 heat wave, equipment failures at multiple substations led to rolling blackouts affecting 265,000 customers in the Metro Detroit area. The timing was particularly problematic as temperatures exceeded 95°F (35°C).
