DTE will assume ownership and operation of all three new wind projects upon completion, which is planned for the fourth quarter of 2020. (Photo: DTE’s newest wind park, Pine River, which was commissioned earlier this year in mid-Michigan.)

The new wind facilities will add 455 MW of renewables to DTE’s generation mix, enough to power 107,000 homes. The company says it will use at least two of the new wind projects to meet the renewable needs of its largest commercial and industrial customers. These include Ford, General Motors, and the University of Michigan, who have enrolled in MIGreenPower, DTE’s voluntary renewable program.

“Investing in renewable energy is a key part of our commitment to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80% by 2040,” said Jerry Norcia, president and CEO, DTE Energy. “Adding these new wind parks to our portfolio will help us meet the clean energy needs of our largest customers who have chosen MIGreenPower. ”

DTE will introduce a suite of voluntary renewable energy programs under the MIGreenPower umbrella designed to meet a wide range of customer interests. These will complement the company’s two existing programs, one for residential and small business customers and one for large commercial and industrial customers.

“We have aggressive plans to expand our voluntary renewable energy programs, enabling more customers to reduce their carbon footprint and meet personal or business sustainability goals,” said Norcia. “We are proud of the environmental and economic benefits these projects will bring to Michigan.”

Today’s MPSC decision clears the way for DTE to purchase Michigan’s largest wind parks, Isabella I & Isabella II, from Apex Clean Energy. The two projects, totaling 383 MW and located in mid-Michigan’s Isabella County, will be the largest clean energy projects in the state as well as the largest renewable energy projects in DTE’s portfolio when they begin commercial operation in 2020. Apex will start construction on the projects later this year.

Additionally, DTE will purchase Fairbanks Wind from Heritage Sustainable Energy, a Traverse City-based wind developer. The 72-MW project will be located in Delta County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. While this facility was approved as part of DTE Energy’s renewable energy plan, it may alternatively be used to support additional sales under the company’s MIGreenPower program.

DTE’s renewable energy projects not only benefit the environment, they are helping drive Michigan’s economy. DTE has driven investment of more than $2.8 billion in renewable assets since 2009 and will invest an additional $2 billion over the next five years. DTE’s renewable energy projects have created or sustained more than 4,000 Michigan jobs while powering the equivalent of more than 500,000 homes with clean energy. At DTE’s newest wind park, Pine River, 90% of the labor during construction was completed by Michigan workers.

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A meeting of the Commission on Environmental Standards will also be held on July 10 at 10am ET at DEEP’s office. Learn more by reading the RFP draft.

Connecticut recently signed into legislation a bill that supports offshore wind capacity for the state. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) planned to promptly begin the request for proposal (RFP) process, and a draft RFP has been released for up to 2 GW of offshore wind energy.

“We congratulate the state of Connecticut for moving so quickly in preparing their first major Draft RFP for offshore wind energy,” said Liz Burdock, CEO and president of the Business Network for Offshore Wind. “Coupled with the other major announcements on offshore wind projects in Massachusetts and Rhode Island this spring, it confirms the growing strength of the industry in New England.”

The state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Bureau of Energy Technology Policy is now seeking comments on the draft RFP, which are due by Monday, July 15, at 4pm. (Written comments can also be filed electronically on DEEP’s website or submitted to DEEP.EnergyBureau@ct.gov.)The final solicitation is due to be released on August 15.

“I believe this solicitation will accelerate the region’s investments in ports like New London and Bridgeport, and allow Connecticut suppliers to be active participants in the regional offshore wind supply chain,” added Burdock.

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The bill signing ceremony was held at the largest solar array in the state, a 10-MW solar project in Pittsfield, Maine. Learn more about the legislations here.

This is an increase in Maine’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) from 40% today to 80% by 2030 and a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050.

The bills also build on several steps taken by Governor Mills to spur renewable energy development, including directing the Public Utilities Commission to approve the contract for Maine Aqua Ventus, the first of its kind demonstration project of floating offshore wind in the United States.

The bill was signed in conjunction with an announcement of Maine’s participation in a federally-led Gulf of Maine Intergovernmental Regional Task Force on renewable energy and the creation of a state-led Maine Offshore Wind Initiative.

“With the signing of these bills, Maine is ushering in a new era of clean energy and climate leadership,” said Governor Mills. “The Maine Climate Council will develop comprehensive action plans to meet our ambitious emissions reductions goals and the renewable energy legislation will spur clean energy development and investments that will increase production of homegrown, renewable energy and create good paying jobs for the people of Maine. Maine is once-again leading on clean energy.”

The legislation will significantly increase the amount of renewable energy in Maine, reduce emissions, and support clean energy job growth:

1. LD 1679: An Act to Promote Clean Energy Jobs & to Establish the Maine Climate Council. This is a Governor’s bill sponsored by Senator David Woodsome, which will establish the Maine Climate Council. The Council will develop the action plans to meet the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals, to promote jobs and economic benefits for Maine people in the transition to a lower carbon economy, and to support the climate resiliency of Maine’s communities. Governor Mills proposed establishing the Maine Climate Council in April.
2. LD 1494: An Act to Reform Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard. Sponsored by Senator Eloise Vitelli, this bill significantly increases Maine’s RPS. The bill also requires the Public Utilities Commission to procure long-term contracts for new clean energy generation, which may be paired with advanced energy storage. Additionally LD 1494 requires the creation of a new thermal portfolio standard to incentivize efficient heating and cooling installations, contains several cost containment mechanisms including a $50 cap on alternative compliance payments, and requires renewable energy policy studies to be conducted in conjunction with other planning efforts.
3. L.D. 1711: An Act to Promote Solar Energy Projects & Distributed Generation Resources. Sponsored by Senator Dana Dow, this bill will incentivize at least 375 MW of new distributed generation in Maine, which is expected to be primarily solar photovoltaic development for projects under 5 MW.

“Climate change threatens Maine’s environment and economy. We need to do everything we can to combat its effects, to preserve our state’s critical resources — our mountains, forests, and waters — for future generations,” said Sen. Vitelli, D-Arrowsic. “I’m grateful for all the stakeholders who came together and put in the hard work to craft this measure. The update of our renewable portfolio standards provides the needed steps to protect our natural resources while investing in our economy.”

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