National Recognition was given to DTE Energy’s GreenCurrents Renewable Energy Program, receiving U.S. DOE promotional efforts to encourage green energy growth. DTE Energy was recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for its leadership in promoting renewable energy through GreenCurrents renewable energy program.At the 2011 Renewable Energy Markets conference in San Francisco, DTE Energy was presented with the Green Power Leadership Award as “Utility Green Power Program of the Year” . The award was presented to DTE Energy for the ways they created awareness of the GreenCurrents program. Just under 900 utilities nationally offer green power programs to their customers. DOE pointed out that DTE Energy’s partnerships with the 2009 NCAA Final Four basketball tournament at Ford Field, the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, and the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena, were unique ways to bring attention to their renewable energy program.
GreenCurrents provides DTE Energy’s 2.1 million electric customers the option to power with renewable energies created by wind, biomass and other environmentally friendly sources (Green-e Energy Sources). More than 22,000 customers have signed up for GreenCurrents since the program’s start in April 2007, making it one of the fastest growing voluntary renewable energy programs in the country. Trevor Lauer, DTE Energy vice president, Marketing & Renewables commented “DTE Energy is honored to receive this recognition for our efforts to grow the GreenCurrents renewable energy program, but this award really recognizes our customers because of their voluntary participation in the program. If not for them this award would not have been possible.”
To help promote, DTE Energy has utilized a grassroots campaign which includes participation and partnerships with numerous community events in order to promote its new renewable energy program, through organizations and schools. Customers are encouraged to sign up at entertainment events at the DTE Energy Music Theatre, Meadow Brook Music Festival, the Palace of Auburn Hills and numerous local green fairs.
DTE Energy’s electric customers can select a renewable energy option that best fits their budget. For as little as $2.50 extra a month, residential customers can purchase renewable energy that’s equal to 15 to 20 percent of a typical home’s monthly electric usage. Furthermore, typical household customers can choose to match 100 percent of their home’s electricity consumption with renewable resources by paying an extra $10 to $15 per month. Business customers can purchase 1,000 kilowatt hours of green energy for an extra $20 a month – or match all of their electricity usage with renewable energy for an additional cost of two cents per kilowatt hour.
Additional information on GreenCurrents can be found at www.GreenCurrents.com , or by calling (866) 207-6955. Information about DTE Energy can be found at dteenergy.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com/dteenergy.
Source: Author: John Carlos, representing GreeningDetroit.com
