History of DTE Energy in Timeline

DTE Energy is a diversified energy company headquartered in Detroit. It operates in the United States and Canada, focusing on energy-related businesses and services. Key operations include an electric utility serving 2.2 million customers and a natural gas utility serving 1.3 million customers, both located in Michigan. The company provides electricity and natural gas to a significant portion of Michigan's population.

1903: Detroit Gas Co. Renamed

In 1903, the Detroit Gas Co. was renamed the Detroit City Gas Co. and secured franchises for Highland Park and Hamtramck and grew its customer base to over 67,000.

1903: Detroit Edison Company Merger and Formation

In 1903, two companies merged to form the Detroit Edison Company, which began trading on January 17. That same year, construction started on the Delray 1 Power Plant, and Henry Ford founded Ford Motor Company.

1904: Detroit Edison Signed Power Contract with Cadillac Motor Car Co.

In 1904, Detroit Edison signed its first power contract with an automobile company, the Cadillac Motor Car Co.

1905: Detroit City Gas Co. Acquired by American Light & Traction Co.

In 1905, a majority of the Detroit City Gas Co. was acquired by the American Light & Traction Co., a holding company that controlled utility and transportation interests stretching from Grand Rapids to Milwaukee.

1908: Delray 2 Power Plant Added

In 1908, with increasing demand for electricity, the Delray 2 Power Plant was added.

1913: Detroit City Gas Acquired Additional Territory

In 1913, Detroit City Gas acquired additional service territory that included the communities of River Rouge, Wyandotte, Dearborn, Ecorse and Trenton.

1924: Detroit Edison Increased Production Capacity

In 1924, Detroit Edison began increasing its production capacity by building the Marysville power plant.

1929: Detroit Edison Increased Production Capacity

In 1929, Detroit Edison increased its production capacity by building the Trenton Channel and Delray 3 power plants.

1937: Detroit City Gas Company Merged to Form Michigan Consolidated Gas Company

In 1937, Detroit City Gas Company merged with Grand Rapids Gas Light Company, Washtenaw Gas Company and Ann Arbor Gas Company to form Michigan Consolidated Gas Company (MichCon).

1938: Michigan Consolidated Gas Company Merger Approved

In 1938, the merger creating Michigan Consolidated Gas Company (MichCon) was approved by state and federal regulators, creating one gas provider for most of the southern half of the Lower Peninsula.

1945: Michigan-Wisconsin Pipeline Completed

In 1945, the Michigan-Wisconsin Pipeline was completed to meet the increasing demand for natural gas.

1949: Formation of American Natural Gas Co.

In 1949, Michigan Consolidated Gas, the Milwaukee Gas Co., the Michigan-Wisconsin Gas Co., the Austin Field Pipeline Co. and the Milwaukee Solvay Co. became the American Natural Gas Co.

1954: St. Clair Power Plant Added

In 1954, Detroit Edison added the St. Clair Power Plant, which was one of the largest power plants in the world at the time.

1956: Construction of Enrico Fermi Power Plant and River Rouge Power Plant Began

In 1956, Detroit Edison broke ground for the Enrico Fermi Power Plant and also began work on the River Rouge Power Plant.

1970: Start of Fermi 2 Nuclear Plant

In 1970, Detroit Edison started construction of the Fermi 2 nuclear plant.

1971: Monroe Power Plant Units 1-4

From 1971, Monroe Power Plant Units 1-4 came online.

1972: Construction Began on Greenwood Energy Center

In 1972, construction began on the Greenwood Energy Center, Detroit Edison's first inland plant designed for both oil- and nuclear-fueled generating units.

1973: Ludington Pumped Storage Plant Went into Service

In 1973, the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant, co-owned by Detroit Edison and Consumers Power Company, went into service.

1981: MichCon Became Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Primark Corp

In 1981, MichCon became a wholly owned subsidiary of Primark Corp.

1983: Detroit Edison Created Utility Technical Services

In 1983, Detroit Edison sought to sell its engineering expertise through the creation of Utility Technical Services, later called SYNDECO — Detroit Edison's first subsidiary business.

1984: Belle River Units 1 Online

In 1984, Belle River Unit 1 went online.

1985: Belle River Units 2 Online

In 1985, Belle River Unit 2 went online, supporting the new marketing push and increasing customer demand.

1986: Detroit Edison Foundation Formed

In 1986, the Detroit Edison Foundation was formed to manage the company's charitable giving programs and volunteer efforts.

1988: Primark Spun-Off MichCon; MCN Corp. Established

In 1988, Primark spun-off MichCon, and the MCN Corp. was established as the parent company of MichCon.

1988: Fermi 2 Unit Licensed and Online & DTE Biomass Energy Founded

In 1988, the Fermi 2 unit was licensed and went online. The company also founded what is now DTE Biomass Energy to begin collecting methane gas from landfills for use in energy production.

January 1996: Detroit Edison Reorganized as DTE Energy

In January 1996, Detroit Edison reorganized as a holding company, becoming DTE Energy. "DTE" was selected because it was the existing stock ticker symbol for Detroit Edison.

1996: Detroit Edison Reorganized as DTE Energy

In 1996, Detroit Edison reorganized as a holding company and became DTE Energy. The acronym "DTE" was chosen as it was the existing stock ticker symbol for Detroit Edison.

May 31, 2001: DTE Energy and MCN Energy Group Merger Completed

On May 31, 2001, DTE Energy and MCN Energy Group completed a merger, creating Michigan's largest energy company and a premier regional energy provider. MichCon became an operating company of DTE Energy.

2007: DTE Energy Began Acquiring Wind Development Rights

In 2007, DTE Energy began acquiring wind development rights on more than 100,000 acres of land in the Thumb area.

December 2012: DTE Energy-Owned Wind Parks Commissioned

In December 2012, the first DTE Energy-owned and constructed wind parks were commissioned, connected to the grid, and began generating power. Two of these wind parks are located in Huron County and one in Sanilac County.

2013: DTE as Customer-Facing Brand

In 2013, DTE Energy adopted "DTE" as its customer-facing brand. Detroit Edison Company changed its name to DTE Electric Company, while Michigan Consolidated Gas changed its name to DTE Gas.

October 27, 2020: DTE Announced Plan to Spin Off DTE Midstream

On October 27, 2020, DTE announced its plan to spin off DTE Midstream into an independent, publicly-traded business called DT Midstream.

2020: DTE Electric's Power Generation Portfolio

In 2020, 32.62% of DTE Electric's power generation came from renewable and nuclear generation, while 67.13% came from coal, gas, and oil.

July 1, 2021: DT Midstream Successfully Spun Off

On July 1, 2021, DT Midstream was successfully spun off from DTE.

Nov 18, 2021: DTE Energy Participated in American Rescue Plan

According to a statement released by the White House on Nov 18, 2021, DTE Energy participated in the American Rescue Plan by committing to help customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, by proactively using resources.

2022: DTE's Electricity Generation Sources in 2022

As of 2022, DTE's electricity generation was comprised of 54.16% coal, 18.16% nuclear, 14.22% natural gas, and 13.11% renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.

January 16, 2025: DTE Gas and DTE Electric Received Conditional Loan Guarantees

On January 16, 2025, DTE Gas and DTE Electric received a total of $8.81 billion in conditional commitments for loan guarantees through the US Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office that would be used to install thousands of megawatts of renewable energy generation and storage.