GlobeNewswire Inc | Jun 4, 2021 10:18AM EDT

June 04, 2021

Detroit, June 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

-- For 65 years the River Rouge power plant delivered safe, reliable and affordable energy to families, communities and businesses throughout Southeast Michigan -- The facility provided hundreds of good paying jobs, supported vital community initiatives and was instrumental in supplying energy to meet the regions industrial power generation needs -- River Rouge is one of three coal-fired plants DTE is retiring over the next two years and is an integral part of the energy companys clean energy transformation



DETROIT, Mich., June 4, 2021 DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) today will formally retire its River Rouge coal-fired power plant. The facility was constructed on 100 acres on the banks of the Detroit River in the city of River Rouge and began operations in 1956. The coal plant went into commercial operation in 1958 with two generating units of 260 megawatts each and a third at 320 megawatts. At the time, these generating units were the largest in the world. On May 31, 2021, River Rouge supplied its final megawatt of power.



Throughout the course of its operational duration, the River Rouge power plant not only delivered essential energy services for Southeast Michigan families and businesses but also served as a hub for economic development and community investment. At its peak operation, the plant supported nearly 300 on-site jobs. Additionally, River Rouge plant employees volunteered thousands of hours toward supporting vital community service initiatives such as tree plantings, tutoring services and toy giveaways for needy children.



As Michigans need for electricity grew over the decades, our employees at River Rouge worked together to serve our customers and communities as an engine of progress, said Jerry Norcia, president and chief executive officer, DTE Energy. Now that this plant has achieved its generation lifespan and we move into the next evolution of power generation, I would like to thank the men and women who gave their energy to the plant over the years and to the communities that supported them. The people who have been the backbone of our River Rouge operation will always be in our hearts and minds, and they have our companys gratitude.



The closure of the River Rouge power plant is also another milestone in DTE Energys clean energy transition that includes increased investments in wind and solar, utilizing cleaner natural gas and operating its carbon-free Fermi nuclear plant. DTE Energys increased emphasis on cleaner energy generation, and the retirement of three of its five remaining coal plants by the end of 2022, represent the single largest carbon emissions reduction happening in the state of Michigan.



DTE is proud to be Michigans largest producer of wind and solar energy and within two years, we will generate enough renewable energy to power approximately 900,000 homes, added Norcia. We firmly believe that our clean energy generation transformation is the right thing to do for our customers and the communities we serve. Thats why we are doing as much as we can, as fast as we can, to provide our customers and the state ofMichiganwith clean energy that is affordable and reliable.



About DTE Energy

DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is aDetroit-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 inSoutheast Michiganand a natural gas company serving 1.3 million customers inMichigan. 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 will reduce carbon dioxide and methane emissions by more than 80 percent by 2040 to producecleaner energywhile keeping it safe, reliable and affordable. DTE is committed toserving with its energythrough volunteerism, education and employment initiatives,philanthropyand economic progress.Information about DTE is available atdteenergy.com,empoweringmichigan.com,twitter.com/dte_energyandfacebook.com.



Renee McClellandDTE Energy313.235.5555