DTE Energy Will Increase Job Training Programs and Advance Energy Efficiency in Michigan

Today, the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a settlement with DTE Energy that commits the company to continue successful customer programs to improve energy efficiency and electrification and increase funding for local workforce development programs.

Earthjustice represented the Sierra Club in the PSC’s review of DTE Energy’s four-year electric and gas energy efficiency plans for 2026 through 2029.

The settlement commits DTE to:

• Continue a successful program targeting the most vulnerable households for assistance programs, known as the “Neighborhood Approach”;
• Provide dedicated funding for pre-weatherization measures for income-qualified customers through a new Health and Safety program;
• Increase workforce development programs that provide opportunities to displaced trades professionals, people in low-income and environmental justice communities, formerly incarcerated people returning home, and tribal communities;
• Reduce customers’ reliance on unhealthy gas appliances by limiting unnecessary replacements of gas furnaces;
• End wasteful funding of a pilot program to install gas-powered thermal heat pumps;
• Prevent disruptive budget shortfalls for critical programs;
• Greater transparency by reporting program spending by census tract and sharing information with partners and contractors.

DTE agreed to continue the Neighborhood Approach to reach customers most at risk that in the past may not have benefitted from DTE programs. The innovative program has proven effective at targeting the households who can least afford high energy bills, and those who spend a high percentage of their income each month on utility bills. From 2024-2025, DTE engaged more than 500 of its most vulnerable customers and was able to deliver more than $2.5 million in energy efficiency upgrades for income-qualified homeowners and apartment tenants. Customers also benefited from safer homes with increased funding for health and safety measures aimed at making necessary repairs or abatement of toxic materials in homes before weatherization.

“It’s not enough for power companies to simply fund programs to assist economically challenged households. To be effective, you must focus on reaching the people who can least afford rising electricity bills, and then ensure that their homes are repaired to be safe enough for weatherization,” said Chinyere Osuala, Earthjustice senior attorney.

DTE also agreed to consult with Earthjustice and our clients within the first half of 2026 to develop a multi-year electrification plan to reduce the reliance on gas.

Michigan enacted the Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act in 2023, establishing requirements for utilities to increase efficiency and electrification without leaving low-income households behind.