DETROIT, Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy was recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for its leadership in promoting renewable energy through the company's GreenCurrents renewable energy program.

DTE Energy was presented with the Green Power Leadership Award as "Utility Green Power Program of the Year" at the 2011 Renewable Energy Markets conference in San Francisco. The award was presented for the ways DTE Energy has created awareness of the GreenCurrents program. DOE noted that DTE Energy's partnerships with the 2009 NCAA Final Four basketball tournament at Ford Field and with the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park were unique ways to bring attention to the program.

More than 800 utilities nationally offer green power programs to their customers.

GreenCurrents provides DTE Energy's 2.1 million electric customers the option of "greening up" their power with renewable energy created from wind, biomass and other environmentally friendly sources. Since the program's inception in April 2007, more than 22,000 customers have signed up for GreenCurrents, making it one of the fastest growing voluntary renewable energy programs in the country.

"DTE Energy is honored to receive this recognition for our efforts to grow the GreenCurrents renewable energy program," said Trevor Lauer, DTE Energy vice president, Marketing & Renewables. "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 its new renewable energy program, DTE Energy has utilized a grassroots campaign which includes participation and partnerships with numerous community events, organizations and schools. Successful partnerships include The Ark, a landmark music venue, and the Michigan Theatre, both in Ann Arbor, where concert-goers are invited to sign up for GreenCurrents. Customers also have the opportunity to sign up at other entertainment events at the DTE Energy Music Theatre, Meadow Brook Music Festival, the Palace of Auburn Hills and numerous local green fairs.

Under the GreenCurrents program, 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 a block of renewable energy that's equal to 15 to 20 percent of a typical home's monthly electric usage. Customers also can choose to match 100 percent of their home's electricity consumption with renewable resources by paying an extra $10 to $15 per month for a typical household.

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 is available at [ www.GreenCurrents.com ], or by calling (866) 207-6955.

DTE Energy (NYSE: [ DTE ]) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include Detroit Edison, an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan, MichCon, a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan and other non-utility, energy businesses focused on gas storage and pipelines, unconventional gas production, power and industrial projects, and energy trading. Information about DTE Energy is available at [ dteenergy.com ],[ twitter.com/dte_energy ] and [ facebook.com/dteenergy ].

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DTE Energy's GreenCurrents Renewable Energy Program Receives National Recognition

DTE Energy's GreenCurrents Renewable Energy Program Receives National Recognition

U.S. DOE cites company's promotional efforts to encourage green energy growth