DTE Energy Wins Corporate Excellence Award From National Fuel Funds Network
May 30 2007 - 2:50PM
PR Newswire (US)
Award Recognizes Outstanding Support of Low Income Customers
DETROIT, May 30 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy and its subsidiaries
Michigan Consolidated Gas Company and Detroit Edison have been
selected by the National Fuel Funds Network (NFFN), as the
recipient of the 2007 Corporate Excellence Award. The company was
nominated by The Heat And Warmth Fund (THAW), DTE Energy's
partnering agency for emergency energy assistance in Michigan.
NFFN's Corporate Excellence Award recognizes an individual or
utility company, who has demonstrated outstanding support for
low-income customers in the region they serve. The award is the
highest honor that a utility can receive from the advocacy
organization. The award will be presented on June 4th at the 23rd
Annual National Fuel Funds Network Conference in Nashville,
Tennessee. "Energy assistance programs provide a vital safety net
for low income families and individuals. Making sure these programs
are available for customers who need them is critically important
to us," said Anthony F. Earley, Jr., DTE Energy Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer. "We're honored that the National Fuel Funds
Network has recognized our efforts and are grateful to THAW for
nominating us for this prestigious award." Key in NFFN's decision
were: DTE Energy's long-standing commitment to low-income customers
through internal programs and philanthropic support, their national
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) advocacy work
and their support of innovative projects, including most recently a
partnership with The Skillman Foundation and The Heat And Warmth
Fund to establish the Good Neighborhoods Initiative Osborn Energy
Program. "Each year the National Fuel Funds Network presents its
Corporate Excellence Award to honor a utility that has provided
innovative and outstanding service to its customers with limited
income. DTE Energy has done just that for many years," said NFFN
Executive Director George Coling. "The Network's membership
consists of over 300 nonprofit and government agencies and
companies throughout the United States who provide energy
assistance, so the award is recognition by an entire community for
DTE Energy's exemplary corporate responsibility for energy
assistance." Edd Snyder, President, THAW Board of Directors noted,
"The support of community partners like DTE Energy is critical to
the success of THAW's mission. We are deeply appreciative of
everything they do. Their solicitation for funds on our behalf from
their customers, and their dollar-for-dollar matching contribution
allows us to stretch our funds even further to help as many people
in need as possible. It was only fitting that we nominate and honor
them for their overall excellence." About National Fuel Funds
Network Founded in 1984, the National Fuel Funds Network (NFFN) is
an association of charitable fuel funds. NFFN's main mission is to
increase the resources available to meet the energy needs of people
with low income. The Network's membership encompasses more than 300
members, including private fuel funds, also called energy banks or
utility assistance funds; utilities; community action and social
service agencies; government and Tribal programs and private
citizens. NFFN Programs include: The Annual Conference in which
participants receive state of the art training and continuing
education; technical assistance to members; Washington Action Day
for LIHEAP each winter; a website --
http://www.nationalfuelfunds.org/; and the quarterly National
Energy Assistance Report. The Network also promotes the creation
and improvement of fuel funds and helps build statewide energy
assistance coalitions. About DTE Energy DTE Energy is a
Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the
development and management of energy-related businesses and
services nationwide. Its largest operating units are Detroit
Edison, an electric utility serving 2.2 million customers in
Southeastern Michigan, and MichCon, a natural gas utility serving
1.3 million customers in Michigan. The DTE Energy portfolio of
businesses also includes non-utility energy businesses focused on
power and industrial projects, coal and gas midstream,
unconventional gas production and energy trading. In 2006, DTE
Energy posted revenues of approximately $9 billion. Information
about DTE Energy is available at http://www.dteenergy.com/. About
The Heat And Warmth Fund The Heat And Warmth Fund (THAW) is an
independent, nonprofit organization that improves the quality of
life in Michigan and prevents human suffering by providing
low-income individuals and families with energy assistance during
crisis and advocating for long-term solutions to energy issues
affecting the poor. People can apply for assistance at more than
100 collaborating agencies such as Community Action agencies, The
Salvation Army, and other organizations that provide a full range
of services including THAW's energy assistance program. To find a
THAW agency visit http://www.thawfund.org/, call your local 2-1-1
or 1 (800) 866-8429 (THAW). To make a secure credit card donation,
visit http://www.thawfund.org/. DATASOURCE: The Heat And Warmth
Fund CONTACT: Diane McCloskey for The Heat And Warmth Fund, office,
+1-313-893-9470 or cell, +1-313-808-0181 Web site:
http://www.dteenergy.com/ http://www.nationalfuelfunds.org/
http://www.thawfund.org/
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