MONROE, Mich., Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy's Monroe Power Plant has earned a Neighborhood Environmental Partners (NEP) Award from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The awards were presented Sept. 19 in Lansing.

The NEP award is one of the state's highest environmental honors and it recognizes facilities for leadership on local projects that benefit their communities and the environment. Only facilities that have earned Clean Corporate Citizen designation from the DEQ are eligible for the NEP award.

The Monroe Power Plant joins the DTE Energy's River Rouge Power Plant as the only company sites to have earned the NEP award. The DEQ recognized eight facilities throughout the state with NEP awards this year.

Monroe Power Plant Director Franklin Warren said, "This award is significant because it recognizes the outstanding commitment and partnership the Monroe Power Plant workforce has demonstrated over the years, to the environment and the community we serve. We take tremendous pride in the tradition of being both good neighbors and excellent stewards of the environment."

Some of the plant's programs recognized by the Neighborhood Environmental Partner Award include:

Partnership with Monroe Public Schools– The Monroe Public Schools Knabusch Math and Science Center is adjacent to approximately 700 acres of plant property that is managed for wildlife habitat. The property is accessible to students participating in class projects on habitat management and monitoring.
Seagull Nesting Site and Studies– In partnership with Calvin College and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), plant personnel established a nesting site where Calvin College biology students conduct tests to assess the impact of environmental factors on gull population, reproduction and health.
Produce Garden– Power plant employees partner with the Monroe Intermediate School District and Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan to plant and harvest a produce garden at the plant's employee activity center. In 2011, the garden produced more than 6,000 pounds of fruit and vegetables.

In all, about a dozen projects, partnerships and activities were cited in the plant's award application.

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 an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan, 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.

SOURCE DTE Energy

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State of Michigan recognizes Monroe Power Plant for its environmental outreach programs

State of Michigan recognizes Monroe Power Plant for its environmental outreach programs