DTE is committed to engaging diverse community voices in meaningful conversations about shaping Michigan’s energy future. One recent example of this outreach involved a group of 15 young adults from the Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT) program, who participated in an interactive Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) session designed to introduce them to the complexities of power generation planning. An IRP is a comprehensive plan to meet our customers’ electricity needs for the next 5, 10 and 15 years. DTE will be filing its next IRP in 2026.
The session was part of a broader six-week job shadowing and career immersion experience hosted by DTE, but the IRP engagement stood out as a unique opportunity to involve youth voices in long-term energy decision-making. Over the course of 90 minutes, DTE walked the cohort through how the energy system works, different types of generation resources and how the IRP process balances considerations of reliability, affordability, and environmental impact.
Participants were then challenged to create their own Integrated Resource Plans, weighing trade-offs and making decisions about energy sources, reliability attributes, emissions and cost. Their individual plans explored different paths for power generation and highlighted the challenges of creating a balanced plan.
This session is one of many ways DTE is working to make the IRP process more transparent and inclusive. By inviting diverse voices—including youth—to engage with energy planning, DTE is both educating future leaders and gaining valuable insights into community priorities.
Over the next few months, we will be hosting virtual information sessions where you can learn more about how we generate power and the integrated resource planning process. For more information, including how to participate in our virtual sessions and other community engagement events, visit our website at https://dtecleanenergy.com/.
You can provide feedback at any time by submitting comments here: DTE CleanVision Integrated Resource Plan Questions or Concerns or by emailing us at dte_electric_cleanvision@dteenergy.com.
