DTE Energy is dedicated to constructing a smarter, stronger more resilient grid to enhance reliability. Our commitment to our customers is to reduce power outages by 30% and to cut outage durations in half —by 2029.
In Scio Township, adjacent to Ann Arbor, our front-line crews were busy recently providing key infrastructure updates. Specifically, at this location, two damaged power poles were being replaced with new, stronger poles. Along with the poles, cross-arms that are four times stronger as the old equipment were also installed. This work is a part of an ongoing plan to upgrade infrastructure in and around this suburban and rural portion of Washtenaw County. These upgrades will provide customers with better reliability and performance, especially during extreme weather.
DTE is committed to upgrading infrastructure. They are key to improving the overall reliability of our service in the area. Last year, over 1,700-line miles were inspected by DTE to upgrade or replace pole-top equipment across the communities we serve. These improvements range from replacing poles, cross-arms, transformers and other pole top and substation equipment that is due for an upgrade. In Washtenaw County, we replaced more than 300 power poles in 2023 and made equipment replacement and upgrades at more than 900 different locations.
DTE is building the grid of the future. That plan includes transitioning to a smart grid, upgrading existing infrastructure, rebuilding significant portions of the grid and trimming trees. These are at the core of our plan as we work to increase reliability for our Scio Township customers and across the many communities we serve.
To stay informed about ongoing projects you can explore DTE Energy’s power improvements map or visit Empowering Michigan’s reliability improvements webpage.