DTE’s net-zero carbon commitment adds momentum to clean energy transition

(NEW YORK) DTE Energy, the largest electric utility in Michigan, today announced plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in its electric generation by 2050, building on its previous pledge to cut these emissions 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and 80 percent by 2040. In response, Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp released the following statement:

“DTE’s announcement is part of a growing—and essential—trend among major U.S. utilities. In recent months Xcel Energy and Duke Energy have also committed to cutting climate pollution and accelerating the transition to a clean energy economy. It is good to see leaders in the power sector stepping up the pace of change.

“To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, the U.S. must become a 100% clean economy by 2050, one that produces no more climate pollution than we can remove from the atmosphere. DTE’s latest commitment is another strong step forward. It recognizes that achieving this net-zero target will require public policies that incentivize innovation and drive down emissions across the economy. EDF encourages the company to accelerate the deployment of zero-emission technologies such as wind and solar in order to exceed its current target of a 50% carbon reduction by 2030. What happens in the next decade is absolutely critical.

“Carbon pollution is damaging the health of our citizens, our planet, and our economy. With climate change hitting home in all of our daily lives, Americans are calling for ambitious action across the entire economy. As DTE and other utilities continue the transition to truly clean generation, we expect they will also address upstream methane emissions from the natural gas they currently use to generate power. Since methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas, methane pollution must be sharply reduced.”

—Fred Krupp, President, Environmental Defense Fund