Detroit council wants to know: What are the alternatives to DTE?

September 9, 2026

Following an F2 tornado that damaged Detroit's east and west sides, City Council members are pushing to reduce the city's dependence on DTE Energy, citing longstanding problems with power outages and rising costs under what they describe as a near-monopoly system. The council unanimously approved extending the mayor's emergency declaration after the September 3rd storm affected 115 locations, including dozens of businesses and homes, while crews cleared over 250 fallen trees from more than 60 blocked streets. Council members referenced alternative energy models in communities like Ann Arbor and Wyandotte as potential options for Detroit to explore, with the mayor's office agreeing to study diversification strategies.

Who is affected

Detroit residents, particularly those on the east and west sides impacted by tornado damage
Approximately 55 businesses (20 with major damage)
24 single-family homes and 20 multi-family dwellings
Seniors living in buildings without working generators
Detroit City Council members (specifically Angela Whitfield-Calloway, Gabriela Santiago-Romero, and Scott Benson)
Mayor Mary Sheffield's administration
DTE Energy
City departments: Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED), General Services Department, Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security, and Office of Sustainability

What action is being taken

The city's Office of Sustainability is evaluating best practices for energy diversification
The Council's Legislative Policy Division is drafting a report on what other municipalities are doing regarding alternative energy sources
BSEED is working with the Law Department to bring senior buildings without working generators into compliance with regulations
City crews have cleared 254 trees from over 60 blocked streets as of Sunday
The administration is using the Improve Detroit app as the primary reporting tool for damage
DTE representatives are being invited to attend upcoming meetings
BSEED is issuing violation notices to senior buildings without working generators

Why it matters

This situation highlights critical vulnerabilities in Detroit's infrastructure as climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. The city's heavy reliance on a single utility provider has resulted in persistent power outages, rising costs, and inadequate service that leaves residents—particularly vulnerable populations like seniors—without power and essential services during emergencies. The push for alternative energy sources represents a potential shift toward greater municipal control and resilience, which could improve reliability, reduce costs, and provide Detroit with more autonomy over its essential utilities. The compliance issues with backup generators at senior facilities also expose safety gaps that put elderly residents at risk during power outages.

What's next

The Council's legal division will draft a resolution encouraging the Sheffield administration to identify and replace $1 million to the forestry department for ongoing tree maintenance
The Council's Legislative Policy Division will prepare a report on alternative energy options being implemented in other municipalities
BSEED will issue final warning letters to senior buildings without working generators and work with the Law Department to bring them into compliance
Hassan Beydoun and David Bowser will take agenda items to DTE and seek their attendance at upcoming meetings
The city will seek reimbursement through the emergency declaration for cleanup costs and future storm-related expenses

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com