While we demonstrate environmental stewardship every day, we also take time to celebrate and encourage activities that are making our state a cleaner and greener place to live.  This month, DTE and our employees will co-sponsor or participate in nearly 30 Earth Day activities across the state. We hope you’ll roll up your sleeves and join us.

Here are just a few of the ways in which you can get involved in celebrating Earth Day. Visit our website for a complete list of Earth Day activities.

• April 6, 13, 20 and 27:  Greening of Detroit tree planting events at east and west side locations.
• April 13:  Embracing Our Earth IX event, at Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker High School, in Pigeon, Huron County.
• April 20:
  • Detroit River Clean-Up of the lower Detroit River islands, with Friends of the Detroit River, meet at 9 a.m. at Trenton Rotary Park for shoreline clean up or transport to islands.
  • Monroe County Earth Day Expo, 10 a.m. -2 p.m. in Loranger Square in downtown Monroe.
• April 20-21:  GreenFest at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak.
• April 26:  DTE Energy and the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) will hold a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the solar installation and renewable energy at the IHM’s renovated Motherhouse.
  • The event begins at 10:15 a.m. at the IHM campus.
  • Arbor Day in Lansing at Potter Park, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• April 26-27:  St. Clair County Earth Fair, Goodells County Park.
• April 27: ReLeaf Michigan Annual Tree Sale. Help staff the pick-up locations in Redford, Pontiac, Fenton, Lake Orion, Dexter, Burton, Davisburg, Grand Rapids or Lansing! Check out ReLeaf MI to learn more.
• Ongoing:  Volunteer for the Adopt-A-Forest clean-up program sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Forest Service.

Here’s the important news if you took action last year. The legislation was made retroactive with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2012 through Dec. 31, 2013.  Some of the tax incentives include, but are not limited to:

• Building Envelope Improvements and High Efficiency Heating
• Cooling and Water Heating Equipment upgrades.

The maximum energy tax credit for all improvements made is $500. Be aware though that there is a lifetime cap which would include any improvements made prior to 2012. Unfortunately, if you claimed $500 or more for tax credits in any year prior to 2012 you are ineligible for any additional tax credit. So, do you think you may have a tax credit coming your way? For full details, familiarize yourself with the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 and work with your tax professional to see if you are eligible.

Customers selected for the program can save on the installed cost of solar photovoltaic systems, lower their monthly electricity costs and make a commitment to a more sustainable environment. The next application period opens on June 24, 2013. The customers that weren’t selected can re-apply for the next round. To learn more visit dteenergy.com/solar.

Lynette Dowler, director, DTE’s Trenton Channel Power Plant, said educating students about the important role that wetlands play in the overall quality of the environment is important. “This part of the state was once home to some of the largest and most productive wetlands in the country. Much of that habitat was lost to development. The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is working to reverse that and DTE is honored to partner in that effort.”

The local World Wetlands Day event reaches about 1,200 students each year and provides them with interactive activities, presentations and demonstrations, as well as a Wetlands Exposition with displays dedicated to wetland conservation. Students from Carlson, Shumate Middle School and other regional high schools participated in the event this year.