Detroit Edison Honored by Arbor Day Foundation

DETROIT, April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Detroit Edison recently received the Arbor Day Foundation's 2012 Tree Line USA award for its commitment to proper tree pruning, planting and care in the provider's service territory.

Tree Line USA, a partnership with the Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters, recognizes utilities whose line-clearance programs include quality tree trimming practices. This is the seventh year of recognition for Detroit Edison, a unit of DTE Energy.

"Trees are a critical part of urban landscapes all across the United States," said John Rosenow, founder and chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. "Service providers like Detroit Edison show that taking care of urban trees is good for business, for customers and for the broader community."

Detroit Edison achieved the Tree Line USA honor by meeting five program standards. Utilities must follow industry standards for quality tree care; provide annual worker training in best tree-care practices; sponsor a tree-planting and public education program; maintain a tree-based energy conservation program; and participate in an Arbor Day celebration.

"We are very pleased to have received this honor for the seventh time," said Vince Dow, DTE Energy Vice President - Distribution Operations. "Our program helps to provide our customers safe and reliable service."

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.

SOURCE DTE Energy