8/17/2007

The Detroit utility holding company DTE Energy announced Thursday it has signed a long-term agreement with Michigan-based Heritage Sustainable Energy LLC to provide wind power for DTE's GreenCurrents renewable energy program.
 
The 10-year agreement will enable Heritage to build a new 6,500-acre wind farm in Wexford County's Richland Township, near Cadillac.

Introduced earlier this year, GreenCurrents offers DTE Energy's 2.2 million electric customers the option of choosing environmentally friendly renewable energy for their homes and businesses.

"A key element of the GreenCurrents program is to encourage the development and operation of new renewable energy projects in Michigan," said Trevor F. Lauer, vice president of marketing for DTE Energy.  "We want the energy resources for GreenCurrents to be homegrown - and we're happy to say that we've signed a long-term agreement with a developer who shares that vision."

The agreement with DTE Energy has allowed Heritage Sustainable Energy to begin construction of Stoney Corners Wind Farm, which will start up with two 2.5 megawatt  Fuhrlander 2500 wind turbines.  The farm is expected to be in operation as early as March, with an ultimate capacity planned to be in excess of 100 megawatts.

"It is particularly gratifying that DTE Energy is purchasing renewable energy credits on its own initiative prior to Michigan legislative action on the issue," said Marty Lagina, president of Rock Management Group, the managing partner of Heritage Sustainable Energy. "DTE Energy's decision to partner with us will get us started.  We look forward to the state of Michigan taking additional action to encourage the growth of the wind energy business in our state."

Under the GreenCurrents program, DTE Energy's Detroit Edison electric customers can select an option to promote renewable energy while best fitting their budget.

Customers can choose to purchase a block of renewable energy for $2.50 a month that's equal to 15 to 20 percent of a typical home's monthly electric usage. 
Customers also can choose to match 100 percent of their home's electricity consumption with renewable resources by paying an extra two cents per kilowatt hour, which works out to an extra $10 to $15 per month for a typical household.

Business customers can purchase a 1,000 kilowatt hour block of green energy for an extra $20 a month - or match all of their electricity usage with renewable energy for an additional cost of two cents per kilowatt hour.

"Every customer who signs up for GreenCurrents will play a significant role in shaping the future of sustainable energy in Michigan," Lauer said.  "By increasing the development of renewable energy projects, our customers can help us meet the electricity demands of today without sacrificing the needs of future generations."

Lauer added that DTE Energy is working on agreements with two Michigan bioenergy developers and expects to finalize those contracts soon.

Additional information on the GreenCurrents program is available at www.GreenCurrents.com, or by calling (866) 207-6955.