Self-Directed Plan

Retro-Commissioning Program

Self-Directed Plan

Self-direct and implement your own energy waste reduction plan.

Michigan enacted energy conservation legislation that allows DTE commercial and industrial electric customers to self-direct their own energy plan. If self-directing, you’re exempt from mandatory energy waste reduction surcharges (except for low-income program surcharges and administration costs).

Learn more about the Self-Directed Plan on the Michigan Public Service Commission’s website.

Connect with a specialist.

You can also email us at selfdirect@guidehouse.com

Program Details

Eligibility Requirements

You must be a DTE Energy non-residential electric customer.
Your account payment history cannot be delinquent within the past 12 months.
You must have an annual peak demand of 1 megawatt (MW) or more at a single site or in aggregate at multiple sites within DTE service territory.
Your minimum incremental savings must meet or exceed the energy savings performance standards based on your annual usage.
An annual report must be submitted by March 1 each year that covers your prior year’s plan.

Resources

Self-Directed Plan Surcharges

EWR Self-Direct Plan Forms

Additional Information

More information on rebates and services available with our Energy Efficiency Program is listed on our Rebate Programs page. Note: Customers choosing the self-directed option are not eligible for rebates.

More details about the Self-Directed Plan rules may be found on the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) website, including:

Michigan Law, PA 342, describes requirements of the Self-Directed Plan.

Temporary order providing detail of the Self-Directed Program.

Specific Text Excerpts from temporary order (Case U-15800) issued by the MPSC on Dec. 4, 2008. Pages 35 to 37 of the order include information on “Self-Direct Energy Optimization Plans.” Pages 7 to 13 of Attachment E, covers Section 4, “Self-Direct Energy Optimization Plan for Electric Customers.”

Energy Optimization Service Company (EOSC):

The Michigan Public Service Commission established an approval process for energy optimization service companies. To understand the requirements to become an approved EOSC, please visit the MPSC EOSC website.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Strategic Energy Management Program (SEM)

SEM helps large commercial and industrial customers focus on changing business practices and establishing organizational cultures to reduce energy waste, improve energy efficiency and verify results.

See Program Criteria

Retro-Commissioning Program

Find cost-effective solutions for managing your building’s energy by reducing maintenance expenses and optimizing efficiency.

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Self-Directed Plan

Enrolling in the Self-Directed Plan

Customers interested in enrolling in the Self-Directed Plan must establish a baseline and determine eligibility. Sites or accounts that received an energy waste reduction (EWR) rebate may not be eligible to implement a self-directed plan within the calculated waiting period. This waiting period is equal to the rebate amount ($) / current month’s EWR surcharge.

The Self-Directed Plan is for electric customers only. Additional details on enrollment are provided below.

Plan Enrollment

Check eligibility requirements and understand the Self-Directed Plan as described by Michigan Law.
If you choose to self-direct, you can’t apply for rebates for energy-saving projects for those sites or accounts.
Secure the services of an energy optimization company if your site is less than 2 megawatts (MW) or less than 10 MW in aggregate.
Select a method to establish your base annual usage (see options below).
Contact us for assistance on which application to select. Email: selfdirect@guidehouse.com

Timeline

Plans expiring Dec. 31 of the current year have the following options to extend the plan:

Option 1: Complete a new application and submit by July 15 of the current year.
Option 2: Amend your plan with updated base usage and submit for approval by July 15 of the current year.

Open enrollment period and submission of your self-directed plan is June 15 to July 15
All plans must be signed and postmarked by July 15
Plans get approved by Sept. 1
Self-Directed Plan starts Jan. 1

Select a method to establish your base annual usage.

man wearing apron sitting at the counter of a restaurant working on his three year plan

Three-Year Average Plan

This approach calculates your average electric usage for the past three years. This average represents your base usage.

View Details and Application Form

Weather-Normalized Plan

This method adjusts actual energy usage to what would occur under normal weather conditions. See our form for preadjusted factors or create your own.

View Details and Application Form

Calculating Your “Minimal Savings”

Minimum incremental (new each year) savings of self-directed plans must meet or exceed the energy savings performance standards based on annual usage. To determine your minimum savings requirements, multiply your annual electric use by the following percentages or complete the application. Note that project savings are annualized.

Plan Year	Percentage
2024	1.0 %
2025	1.0 %
2026	1.0 %
2027	1.0 %
2028	1.0 %

For more information, see our Self-Directed Plan surcharges.

Self-Directed Plan

Annual Report

All customers participating in the Self-Directed Plan are required to submit an annual report. This report must be submitted by March 1 of every year (this became effective in 2012) and cover the plan’s prior year. After submitting the report, DTE will notify customers after reviewing plans or reports via the contact information provided in the application. See additional format and deadline details below.

Submitting an Annual Report

All reports must be signed and postmarked by March 1, 2024.
Download the annual report template, print, fill out and send to:
Email: selfdirect@guidehouse.com

Note: To expedite the process, you may forward a signed PDF copy but must still submit the signed original.
DTE will notify you after review of your plan or report via the contact information provided in your application.
Questions? Email us at the address above.

Customer Report Requirements

Annual Report: Implemented Savings Projects
Every year, you are required to submit an annual report of implemented savings projects. The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has the statutory authority to assess penalties of up to two times the normal energy optimization surcharge in proportion to the shortfall in achieving your minimum energy optimization savings goals. You are encouraged to plan for savings that exceed the minimum savings goal. There is no penalty for not achieving your planned savings when you meet the minimum goal. Reports are due 60 days after the last day of the term covered by your report. Reports are due March 1 of the current year.

Annual Report: Implemented Savings Projects

Every year, you are required to submit an annual report of implemented savings projects. The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has the statutory authority to assess penalties of up to two times the normal energy optimization surcharge in proportion to the shortfall in achieving your minimum energy optimization savings goals. You are encouraged to plan for savings that exceed the minimum savings goal. There is no penalty for not achieving your planned savings when you meet the minimum goal. Reports are due 60 days after the last day of the term covered by your report. Reports are due March 1 of the current year.

Amendments to Plans
Amendments may be used to increase or reduce the terms of a plan. Amended plans are multi-year plans and should be two years or longer. Amendments are required to avoid plan expirations or to update energy usage and minimum savings requirements.

Termination Notice: Self-Directed Energy Waste Reduction Plan
This notice allows you to voluntarily return to the provider’s Energy Waste Reduction (EWR) plan. Upon returning to the provider’s EWR plan, you become eligible for rebates provided by the utility’s EWR plan and are responsible for paying applicable energy waste reduction surcharges from which you previously had been exempt. You are still liable for savings shortfalls that may have occurred during the Self-Directed Plan. Full termination notices should include an annual report listing measures implemented up to termination. Partial terminations should include a plan amendment. Terminations become effective when DTE approves the request. Once terminated, the full EWR surcharges will be applied to your bill on the next billing cycle. Please contact the business team for reporting requirements. The Michigan Public Service Commission may require additional information about your plans and reports from the provider or customer.

Termination Notice: Self-Directed Energy Waste Reduction Plan

This notice allows you to voluntarily return to the provider’s Energy Waste Reduction (EWR) plan. Upon returning to the provider’s EWR plan, you become eligible for rebates provided by the utility’s EWR plan and are responsible for paying applicable energy waste reduction surcharges from which you previously had been exempt. You are still liable for savings shortfalls that may have occurred during the Self-Directed Plan. Full termination notices should include an annual report listing measures implemented up to termination. Partial terminations should include a plan amendment. Terminations become effective when DTE approves the request. Once terminated, the full EWR surcharges will be applied to your bill on the next billing cycle. Please contact the business team for reporting requirements.

The Michigan Public Service Commission may require additional information about your plans and reports from the provider or customer.

Customer Report Requirements

Annual Report: Implemented Savings Projects
Every year, you are required to submit an annual report of implemented savings projects. The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has the statutory authority to assess penalties of up to two times the normal energy optimization surcharge in proportion to the shortfall in achieving your minimum energy optimization savings goals. You are encouraged to plan for savings that exceed the minimum savings goal. There is no penalty for not achieving your planned savings when you meet the minimum goal. Reports are due 60 days after the last day of the term covered by your report. Reports are due March 1 of the current year.

Annual Report: Implemented Savings Projects

Amendments to Plans
Amendments may be used to increase or reduce the terms of a plan. Amended plans are multi-year plans and should be two years or longer. Amendments are required to avoid plan expirations and should be accompanied by notifications of failure to meet the minimum Energy Optimization standard, partial terminations or changes in base usage. Plan amendments are required every two years to update energy usage and minimum savings requirements.

Amendments to Plans

Amendments may be used to increase or reduce the terms of a plan. Amended plans are multi-year plans and should be two years or longer. Amendments are required to avoid plan expirations and should be accompanied by notifications of failure to meet the minimum Energy Optimization standard, partial terminations or changes in base usage. Plan amendments are required every two years to update energy usage and minimum savings requirements.

Termination Notice: Self-Directed Energy Optimization Plan
This notice allows you to voluntarily return to the provider’s Energy Optimization (EO) plan. Upon returning to the provider’s EO plan, you become eligible for rebates provided by the utility’s EO plan and are responsible for paying applicable energy optimization surcharges from which you previously had been exempt. You are still liable for savings shortfalls that may have occurred during the Self-Directed Plan. Full termination notices should include an annual report listing measures implemented up to termination. Partial terminations should include a plan amendment. Terminations become effective when DTE approves the request. Once terminated, the full EO surcharges will be applied to your bill on the next billing cycle. Please contact the business team for reporting requirements. The Michigan Public Service Commission may require additional information about your plans and reports from the provider or customer.

Termination Notice: Self-Directed Energy Optimization Plan

This notice allows you to voluntarily return to the provider’s Energy Optimization (EO) plan. Upon returning to the provider’s EO plan, you become eligible for rebates provided by the utility’s EO plan and are responsible for paying applicable energy optimization surcharges from which you previously had been exempt. You are still liable for savings shortfalls that may have occurred during the Self-Directed Plan. Full termination notices should include an annual report listing measures implemented up to termination. Partial terminations should include a plan amendment. Terminations become effective when DTE approves the request. Once terminated, the full EO surcharges will be applied to your bill on the next billing cycle. Please contact the business team for reporting requirements.

The Michigan Public Service Commission may require additional information about your plans and reports from the provider or customer.

Self-Directed Plan

Self-direct and implement your own energy waste reduction plan.

Connect with a specialist.

Program Details

Eligibility Requirements

Resources

Additional Information

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a satisfactory bill payment history?

What surcharges am I exempt from?

What if I don’t have an electric demand meter?

Does the plan include natural gas?

What happens when my plan’s term ends?

How long is my commitment to the plan?

Other Ways to Save

Strategic Energy Management Program (SEM)

Retro-Commissioning Program

Plan Enrollment

Three-Year Average Plan

Weather-Normalized Plan