Grosse Ile Township Supervisor Jim Budny knows that when it comes to accessing essential services, you shouldn’t feel like you’re living on an island. That’s why he’s been working closely with DTE to improve reliability and keep energy affordable. 
“Balancing the necessity of infrastructure upgrades with the inevitable inconveniences they bring is a difficult task, but one that’s essential for our long-term prosperity and DTE understands that,” Budny said.
DTE recently invested more than $14 million into revolutionizing the grid and improving reliability to Grosse Ile. We repaired a vital trunkline under the Detroit River and upgraded electrical equipment that powers the island. Crews installed new conduit (waterproof casing that protects cables) and cables under the bed of the river to improve reliability for island customers and also replaced another aging cable that will act as a backup source of power for Grosse Ile. Finally, as part of the project, crews installed new utility poles and wires and upgraded electrical equipment at the substation that powers the island. The new equipment is stronger and better able to withstand extreme weather.
DTE’s $14 million investment in electric reliability in Grosse Ile
Because trees are the leading cause of outages for our customers, we also trimmed trees across the island to help reduce power outages and ensure reliable service for our customers. All of this work is part commitment to our customers to reduce power outages by 30% while cutting outage time in half by 2029.
Overhead drone footage of the new cables and conduit powering Grosse Ile
These improvements form the backbone of daily life, ensuring essential services reach every corner of the island efficiently. This connectivity isn’t just about convenience, it’s about ensuring that the community thrives.
Supervisor Budny and his neighbors have seen the impact firsthand. “We’re definitely experiencing fewer power outages and that’s been great to see,” said Supervisor Budny.
Despite our best efforts, we know that storms happen and we can’t prevent every outage. But we can strengthen our grid and get our customers and our neighbors back up and running as soon as possible.
“DTE’s commitment to sustainability and community partnership is clear. Together, we can ensure that Grosse Ile remains a resilient community for generations to come.”
By investing in infrastructure and fostering resilient communities, we’re paving the way for continued growth and prosperity in Grosse Ile. As we look ahead, we remain committed to serving the community with the same dedication and innovation that has defined our partnership from the beginning.
DTE Energy is revolutionizing its grid, not just in Grosse Ile but throughout Michigan. It’s part of our $9 billion five-year plan to improve resiliency and build a brighter future for all of us. To see what upgrades we’re making in your area, explore more stories on EmpoweringMichigan.com