Dive Brief:

• Deregulated power markets are "in trouble" and it is unlikely Michigan policymakers will expand the state's competitive market, DTE Energy officials said during an earnings conference call with analysts.
• Meanwhile, DTE expects to spend $6.7 billion on capital investments through 2018. The company plans to spend $5.6 billion on basic infrastructure, like smart meters, $700 million on environmental compliance projects at its power plants and $400 million on renewable generation.
• Electric sales fell 1% in 2013 to 48.4 million MWh, down from 48.6 million MWh in 2012. A drop in residential and commercial sales more than offset a 3% gain in industrial sales.

Dive Insight:

DTE officials doubt policymakers will expand retail access in Michigan. “I don't think the [Snyder] administration or the public service commission see expanded choice as a stable base to build the future of Michigan's energy infrastructure around,” Gerry Anderson, DTE Energy chairman, president and CEO, said.

This winter's volatility in other retail markets isn't helping the prospect for expansion in Michigan, according to Anderson. “I will tell you watching deregulated markets trying to deal with the stresses that emerged this year and the stresses that are coming as markets get tighter, we better watch it,” Anderson said. “Those markets are in trouble and I think an increasing number of observers believe that. I don't think Michigan has an appetite for stepping into that. For example, there's a bill that's being introduced in the House on deregulation, we see those pop up every now and then. I don't think there is serious interest in that and I don't think it'll clear.”