NEWS: Gas, renewables, and nuclear are on deck to power new demand in the Midwest.

DTE Energy submitted its 20-year Integrated Resource Plan to state regulators last week. The utility proposes to: 1) expand renewable energy by 15 GW and battery storage by 4.5 GW, 2) build two natural gas plants, totaling 2.1 GW, and 3) expand its existing nuclear plant by 177 MW. 

The result: DTE’s energy mix would go from one in 2027 that’s dominated by fossil fuels (51% combined natural gas and coal) to a clean energy focused grid by 2035 (53% renewables). All coal would be retired by 2032. 

Calls for less gas: Vote Solar and the Environmental Law and Policy Center plan to intervene in the case, to demonstrate “more cost-effective alternatives” to natural gas, such as VPPs, according to a press release.