DTE Offers Land For Food, Biofuel Planting

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DTE Offers Land For Food, Biofuel Planting


Gleaners Partners with DTE Energy to Grow Veggies at Substation Sites

First DTE Energy Garden to be in Auburn Hills; biofuels production
also a part of the mix

A DTE Energy/Gleaners Community Food Bank partnership will result in
the food bank using buffer land surrounding some electric facilities
to grow vegetables to help fight hunger in Southeastern Michigan.

The first garden, now being prepared for planting at the energy
company's Carter Substation in Auburn Hills, will be 4,500 square
feet. Gleaners has recruited students from the Kennedy Center in
Pontiac to tend the garden.

"This is an exciting partnership that not only will involve our
company and Gleaners, but volunteer gardeners and farmers who want to
make a difference in other people's lives," said Vince Dow, DTE Energy
vice president for distribution operations. "There's a huge need for
fresh vegetables and hopefully this will be the start of a movement to
involve more businesses and volunteers across the region."

In addition to the volunteer gardeners, the land will be offered to
farmers to grow organic crops, corn for ethanol or soy beans for
biodiesel, with a portion of the profits donated to Gleaners.

At the Auburn Hills garden, students have planted seeds in the
school's greenhouse and will plant the seedlings and other seeds in
the garden once the threat of frost has passed. They will harvest
their bounty, take it to Gleaners and Gleaners will give a portion
back to the students for use in the school's culinary arts program.

"Not only will the students learn about plants, but also the food
cycle and helping hungry neighbors," said Agostinho Fernandes Jr.,
Gleaners president. "We hope that many other people will volunteer to
help out as well. There's lots to be done, from tilling to spreading
compost, creating planting beds, planting seeds and seedlings,
weeding, watering and hoeing, helping to harvest and deliver the
produce, and preparing the garden for the next growing season."

To get involved with the DTE Energy Garden project, call Marc Zupmore
at (313) 235-3579 or Mike McDonald at (313) 923-3535, ext. 407.

Gleaners collects 25 million pounds of food annually, which it
distributes for 375,000 meals each week. The agency also fills hunger
gaps for nearly 7,000 children through various programs.

DTE Energy is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in
the development and management of energy-related businesses and
services nationwide. Its operating units include Detroit Edison, an
electric utility serving 2.2 million customers in Southeastern
Michigan, and MichCon, a natural gas utility serving 1.3 million
customers throughout Michigan.

More at www.dteenergy.com.