GlobeNewswire Inc | Jun 14, 2021 10:10AM EDT

June 14, 2021

Detroit, June 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DETROIT, JUNE14, 2021 DTE Energys residential and business customers will save nearly $400 million on their cumulative lifetime energy billsthanks to the companys efficiency programs, according to a newly released report. Along with dollar savings, the 2020 combined electric and natural gas verified net savings from energy efficiency programs equate to lifetime greenhouse gas reductions of 6.1 million metric tons ofcarbon dioxide, 2,869 metric tons of nitrogen oxides, and 3,785 metric tons of sulfur dioxide. Since 2009, the cumulative lifetime environmental benefits from these electric and natural gas savings are equivalent to:

-- Greenhouse gas emissions avoided by recycling more than 228,000 tons equating to 32,000 garbage trucks of waste instead of sending it to the landfill, -- Annual carbon emissions reduction from more than80,000 homes energy use foroneyear, -- Reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to more than 146,000 cars driven inoneyear, and -- Carbon sequestered bymore than823,000 acres of forest inoneyear.

One of theprograms that helped achievethese savings was Energy Efficiency Assistance, which was honored this year with an Inspiring Efficiency Impact Award by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Association for supporting customers with limited income. Thisprogram teams up with local nonprofit organizations and community action agencies to provide free energy-saving home improvements to eligible customers. In 2020, DTEs Income-Qualified program had 10,926 electric and 12,273 natural gas participants. This program includes Energy Efficiency Assistance, the Income-Qualified Heat Pumps initiative and the Income-Qualified components of the Multifamily and Home Energy Consultation programs.

We feel fortunate to be able to offer these income-qualified programs to DTE customers who are most in need, said John Boladian, director of Energy Efficiency at DTE. Were proud to accept the Inspiring Efficiency Impact Award, but we also want to give credit to the Michigan Community Action Agency Association, municipality and county agencies across the state, public housing commissions, faith-based institutions, community development corporations and non-profit organizations with existing housing and energy programs. This award reflects the effort and hard work from a large network of people.

Enhancements to our commercial and industrialprograms also benefitted business owners. These programs offer business customers incentives to replace existing equipment and fixtures with new energy efficient equipment and incentives for designing and building new or remodeling projects that are energy efficient.In 2020, over 400,000 customer applications were processed within the commercial electric and natural gas programs, receiving 92% or higher customer satisfaction scores.

DTEs new Small Business Platform providedbusinessownerswith a path to energy savings and a means to begin their energy efficiency journey.

A DTE Energy advisor recommended that I upgrade the refrigeration system, and transition from fluorescent lighting to LED lighting throughout the store, said Sam Shina, owner of Apollo Market grocery store in Detroit, who had a complimentary energy assessment completed. Ive really benefited and saved money because less power is being used. The refrigeration upgrades alone will save me thousands of dollars.

2020 DTE energy efficiency achievements:

-- More than 110,000 customers used ourDTE Insight mobile apptohelp understand, manage and control their energy usage, -- 85,000 energy efficient product rebates from purchases made on ourDTE Marketplace, -- 11,400 natural gas and electric appliance rebateswere received by customers,

-- Over 5,000 electronics incentiveswere providedbyour Consumers Electronicsprogram, -- More than 29,000 HVACresidentialcustomer applications were processed, -- Over30,000freeHome Energy Consultationswereconducted throughout DTEs service territory, -- More than 500,000 Home Energy Reportsmailedto customers, -- Over 36,000 energy efficiency kitswere distributedto students through our Schools program, -- The number of participating buildersincreasedfrom 25 in 2019 to 40in ourNew Home Construction program, -- Over 1,500freeBusiness Energy Consultationswere conducted, and -- 21,152 customersrecycledinefficient appliances.

DTEs energy efficiency program launched in June 2009 as a result of the Clean, Renewable, and Efficient Act. DTE reports results annually to the Michigan Public Service Commission and its customers as a progress report for its efforts and budgetary returnon investments. Since its inception in 2009, DTE electric customers have directly participated in energy efficiency programs nearly 6 million times and natural gas customers nearly 4 million times.

For further information, members of the media may call: Kimberly Huffman, DTE Energy, 313.235.5555

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

Kim HuffmanDTE Energy313.235.5555