Green Space: Popularity bright for DTE Green Currents program

When DTE Energy launched its voluntary Green Currents program, there were hopes to sign up 4,000 customers by the end of 2007.

Interest has already exceeded expectations with nearly 6,000 customers signing up, opting to add a renewable energy premium -- ranging from $2.50 upwards to $20 -- to their monthly utility bill. Their investment reduces their home's dependence on fossil fuels, increases the state's energy independence by making use of home-grown energy and invests in Michigan's burgeoning alternative energy industry.

"For just a small amount of money, a customer can create all these good things," says Larry Kaufman, who is a DTE energy efficiency expert and a member of the Green Currents marketing team.

Green Currents energy must come from renewable producers built since 2006, making it the most stringent initiative of its kind in the nation. DTE is currently focusing on power produced from biomass (AKA waste-to-energy) and wind generation.

With regard biomass technologies, DTE has entered into a five-year agreement with North American BioFuels L.L.C., which will build an operation that converts cow manure into electricity in Elsie (how appropriate!). Kaufman says an announcement of another biomass facility is imminent.

As for wind, the company has entered into a 10-year agreement with Heritage Sustainable Energy L.L.C., which is building turbines on a 6,500-acre site near Cadillac. DTE is also conducting a feasibility study of generating 600 megawatts of wind power in the Thumb area, deemed the best area in the state for wind.

Kaufman points out that there is 60,000 megawatts of potential wind energy in Michigan, the windiest state east of the Mississippi, but that only 3,000 megawatts are currently under production. "Shame on us for not tapping into this free renewable resource," he says.

To sign up even more customers, DTE is setting up shop at The Ark in Ann Arbor for the entire month of November, Green Energy Month. All electricity from the venue will be off-set, making it carbon neutral, and anyone who signs up for Green Currents will recieve a free CD from that evening's performer.

The eagerness of Michigan customers to pay a premium for their utilities says a lot to Kaufman. "People in Michigan are ready for renewable energy," he says. "We would love for 100,000 people to sign up and all be a part of this."

To learn more and to sign up for Green Currents, visit here.

Source: Larry Kaufman, DTE Energy
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh