A growing demand for electricity, combined with an aging energy infrastructure, will lead to a need for new baseload power plant construction at a cost of more than $400 billion nationally, said Anthony F. Earley Jr., DTE Energy chairman and CEO.

In Michigan, at least one new baseload plant will be needed by 2015 and up to nine new plants by 2025, according to the Michigan 21st Century Energy Plan. Nationally, Earley cited The Energy Information Agency, which estimates that 50 additional nuclear plants, 93 wind farms, 279 natural gas plants and 261 new coal plants will be required by 2030 just to keep the same mix of fuels currently powering the country.

"DTE Energy is working hard to shape the national energy policies that will affect our industry, our company and our customers for years to come," Earley said.

"At the same time, we're working diligently to craft a state energy policy that will allow Michigan utilities to succeed in investing in new generation and electric infrastructure as we grapple with the challenges of climate change."

In addition, Earley pointed to the need for billions of dollars of investment nationally to reinforce today's electric and gas infrastructures.

"The bottom line is that America's utilities are about to enter a period of renewal unlike anything we've seen since the post World War II years. And as we grow, we must minimize our impact on the environment and keep costs affordable."

Gerard M. Anderson, DTE Energy president and chief operating officer, also emphasized how legislation will affect the company's future on many levels.

Anderson said the comprehensive energy legislation approved by the Michigan House of Representatives last month will ensure a clean, affordable and reliable electric supply well into the future, but the state Senate needs to act now and send a completed bill to the governor.

"Everyone in this room understands that our economic growth is inextricably linked to affordable, abundant electricity," Anderson said.

"But Michigan's current, one-of-a-kind hybrid electric policy is failing. Investment in energy efficiency, renewables, other alternative energy technologies and baseload power plants simply will not occur until policy changes are made to ensure that customers for whom new power generation is constructed will still be around when that generation comes online."

Anderson urged the Senate to complete the legislative process before the summer recess to protect the state's future.

"The 'do nothing' approach will leave Michigan ever more reliant on volatile market-priced power from out-of-state suppliers. The 'take action' approach will give Michigan sound new energy policy to take control of our own energy future, attract investment, create needed jobs and ensure a balanced and diversified energy portfolio that boasts strong energy-efficiency programs, an array of renewable technologies and clean, affordable baseload power plants," Anderson added.

Earley and Anderson also addressed several other critical issues and initiatives for the company moving forward.

Anderson noted that the Michigan legislative package includes energy efficiency programs.

"We have the experience and know-how to help residential and business customers," Anderson said. "If legislation is adopted, we can begin immediately to educate energy consumers so they can play a more active role in managing their own energy expenses."

At the federal level, Earley said legislation to stop the growth of greenhouse gas emissions will pose a challenge to the nation's electricity generators because there is no commercially viable carbon capture technology. A key ingredient to successfully manage climate change is the development of new technologies.

Earley said DTE Energy intends to play a role in making those technological breakthroughs occur.

"I'm pleased to announce a new partnership with the University of Michigan to engage the next generation of leaders in clean energy and increase the speed of energy innovation," Earley said.

"Our goal is to drive clean energy ideas and technologies from the research lab to commercialization. To do that, we've made a five year, $450,000 commitment to fund the DTE Clean Energy Prize, a new competition open to the best and brightest students and faculty at Michigan's colleges and universities."

DTE Energy, he noted, already is stepping up to these new technologies - subject to the passage of state energy legislation - to file an application to build a next-generation nuclear plant at the Fermi 2 site in Newport, Mich.

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