DTE Gas announces 2050 net zero goal; unique and comprehensive plan addresses greenhouse gas emissions and invites customers ...
June 24 2020 - 8:02AM
DTE Energy today took another major step in building a cleaner
energy future for Michigan. Last September, the company announced a
goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 in its electric
company. Today it expanded its net zero goal to include DTE Gas. In
a commitment unique to the industry, DTE Gas will reduce its
greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 -- from procurement
through delivery. In addition, DTE Gas will be amplifying this net
zero commitment by partnering with customers to address up to 100%
of their own natural gas carbon footprint with programs that
encourage energy efficiency and participation in the company’s
voluntary emissions offset program.
DTE Gas is an industry leader in reducing greenhouse gas
emissions with a roadmap that includes suppliers and customers, as
well as its own operations. This innovative plan sets a
first-of-its-kind goal among gas delivery companies and
significantly expands DTE Gas’s 2018 commitment to reduce methane
emissions by 80%. The company’s net zero commitment, combined with
customer participation in sustainability programs offered by DTE,
would reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by more than 6 million
metric tons by 2050. This reduction is the equivalent of offsetting
the natural gas emissions of 1 million homes or taking 1.3 million
cars off the road annually.
“Climate change is one of the defining public policy issues of
our time and it demands a bold response,” said Jerry Norcia,
president and CEO of DTE Energy. “The level of impact urgently
needed can only be achieved by viewing the challenge through a
holistic lens, bringing our suppliers and our customers on the
journey with us. This is the right plan for our environment, for
our customers and for our communities.”
The three-fold approach includes:
- Working with suppliers: DTE Gas will require
its suppliers to operate at net zero greenhouse gas emissions by
2050. This action by DTE Gas will help drive an industry-wide
movement toward cleaner natural gas production, resulting in
significant reductions in methane and CO2 emissions.
- DTE Gas operations: DTE Gas will reduce its
greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 through new
operational improvements and carbon offsets, while continuing to
provide its customers with safe, reliable and affordable energy.
DTE Gas’s current main renewal program and infrastructure
modernization efforts will reduce both methane and
combustion-related emissions from the company’s operations. In
addition, the company will invest in a combination of renewable
natural gas and carbon offsets, such as biosequestration, the
process of capturing and storing carbon in living organisms such as
trees.
- Partnering with customers: The company
will encourage customers to reduce their own emissions through
energy efficiency programs. In addition, the company is enhancing
its voluntary emissions offset program to allow customers to reduce
up to 100% of their usage emissions through renewable natural gas
and carbon offsets. Over time, DTE Gas will also leverage advanced
technologies, such as hydrogen and carbon capture.
“I’m pleased to see that DTE is committing to a plan that
includes suppliers and customers in their net zero commitment,”
said Michigan House of Representatives Democratic Leader Christine
Greig. “DTE’s plan reflects the proactive thinking that is
necessary to combat climate change and ensure a sustainable future
for our state.”
The Michigan chapter of the global environmental nonprofit, The
Nature Conservancy, is similarly supportive of the plan.
“We applaud DTE’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon
emissions in their gas operations, for it is an important step
toward reducing Michigan’s carbon footprint,” said Helen Taylor,
Michigan director of The Nature Conservancy. “We know that nature
can provide powerful solutions and we look forward to working with
DTE to identify and implement as many of those solutions as
possible.”
About DTE Energy
DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy
company involved in the development and management of
energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating
units include an electric company serving 2.2 million customers in
Southeast Michigan and a natural gas company serving 1.3 million
customers in Michigan. The DTE portfolio includes energy businesses
focused on power and industrial projects; renewable natural gas;
natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage; and energy marketing
and trading. As an environmental leader, DTE utility operations
will reduce carbon dioxide and methane emissions by more than 80%
by 2040 to produce cleaner energy while keeping it safe, reliable
and affordable. DTE Electric aspires to achieve net zero carbon by
2050. DTE is committed to serving with its energy through
volunteerism, education and employment initiatives, philanthropy
and economic progress. Information about DTE is available at
dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and
facebook.com.
Colleen Rosso
DTE Energy
313.235.5555
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