DTE Energy has created a four-part plan to improve reliability for our customers and keep them in power, especially during extreme weather. As part of this plan, we are investing more than $31 million to rebuild the electric grid in and around downtown Pontiac.
Our crews have been removing and installing new overhead and underground distribution systems that deliver power to homes and businesses in the city. This includes more than 15 miles of utility poles, overhead and underground wires, transformers and other electrical equipment.
“Rebuilding this section of the grid will help improve safety and reliability while strengthening our infrastructure to better withstand extreme weather,” said Orlando Austin, associate capital project manager, Distribution Operations.
In addition to rebuilding part of the grid in Pontiac, DTE will also install more than a mile of new underground wires. The new section of wires will deliver even more power to downtown Pontiac. The added capacity will help address the growing energy needs in the downtown area as more businesses and people continue to move in.
Rebuilding older sections of the DTE grid is just one component of DTE’s plan to increase reliability for customers. We’re also trimming the trees that account for 50% of the time our customers spend without power and upgrading our equipment. DTE also plans to invest in increased automation, allowing power to be rerouted to customers during an outage so they continue to have electric service while we make repairs.
The project is expected to be completed by December 2025.
Short power outages and partial road closures will be necessary to complete the work. We will continue to notify customers in the area if work affects them.
Learn more about what to expect when DTE is installing a new electric distribution system in your neighborhood. To read about additional reliability improvement work happening in your neighborhood, visit empoweringmichigan.com/reliability-improvements.