The Truth About DTE's GreenCurrents

July 3, 2007

If you live in southeast Michigan, you've recently received a brochure touting a renewable energy program from DTE with your latest energy bill. Here's the truth about the GreenCurrents program and the state of renewable energy in Michigan.

Customer's signing up for the Detroit Edison (DTE) GreenCurrents program are paying for DTE to purchase and market renewable energy credits (RECs) to their customers. In their GreenCurrents proposal to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), DTE expressed the desire to purchase RECs from Michigan renewable energy sources, although, depending on the availability of Michigan based RECs they can purchase credits outside of Michigan .

For renewable energy to develop in Michigan our utilities must begin purchasing power (electricity) produced from Michigan-based biomass, wind, and solar resources. According to DTE the GreenCurrents program will be a REC only program resulting in missed economic opportunities for Michigan and DTE customers.

Because DTE is not buying power, little to no new renewable energy development will occur in Michigan because of the GreenCurrents program. The Ecology Center and the City of Ann Arbor have intervened in the Detroit Edison rate case to request that DTE create a REAL renewable energy program. Our REAL renewable energy program is based on Austin Energy's GREENCHOICE renewable energy program-- the nation's most successful voluntary renewable energy program. Austin purchases electricity at a fixed price for 10 years from wind, solar, and landfill gas resources. Austin customer's can choose to buy from the renewable resources or the standard fossil fuel resources. The utility wins, because GREENCHOICE customer's pay the costs for the renewable energy; and, the customer's win because they get their electricity from clean resources at a fixed price for up to a decade. As an added bonus, the most recent GREENCHOICE 10 year rate is lower than their existing fossil fuel rate due to fossil fuel cost increases!

If you want to see wind turbines planted and solar panels mounted at a location near you, then you need to join the Ecology Center and the City of Ann Arbor as we work to create a REAL renewable energy program that adds these resources along with sustainable jobs in Michigan.

If you also want to offset the carbon emissions from your electricity consumption there are many more options available than just buying your RECs from DTE. Check out the Green-e website for more information and for searching for what's available locally and nationally from organizations that are recognized by Green-e. Green-e is the certifying agency for RECs.

For more information, please send an email to David Wright.