On December 12, 2022, the manufacturer that owns the Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge, and Fiat brands, Stellantis, released a joint press release. The agreement with DTE Energy is a commitment to significantly increase its clean energy purchases in Michigan. Adding 400 megawatts of new solar projects in Michigan would be enough to power 130,000 homes, while avoiding more than 670,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Following a similar announcement by Ford and DTE for 650 megawatts of new solar energy in Michigan made in August, the companies described it as the second-largest renewable energy purchase ever made in the United States. By 2025, the announcement from August would be sufficient to power Ford operations using wind, sun, water, and nuclear energy, making it the largest renewable energy purchase from a utility.
While this day and this historic agreement are about clean and efficient power, Mark Stewart, chief operating officer for Stellantis North America, suggested that it is also about the importance of partnerships in this new era of sustainable mobility.
“Investments like these expedite our state’s transition to sustainable energy, generate employment, and boost our state’s economy,” said Jerry Norcia, chairman, and CEO of DTE Energy, in the release. Families, towns, and businesses in Michigan will enjoy a cleaner environment because Stellantis’ addition will also generate hundreds of employment while the project is being built.
According to Cindy Hecht, DTE spokeswoman, “the MIGreenPower program has about 75,000 residential and 800 business customers, making it more cost-effective for customers than having their own rooftop solar panels installed”. Since the solar projects aren’t directly connected to the Stellantis sites, “we say the utilization is being ‘attributed to solar energy.'” explained Hecht.
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