LIVONIA, Mich., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- WHO: Steven Kurmas, President and Chief Operating Officer, Detroit Edison Brandon Hofmeister, Special Counsel for Energy and Climate Policy, Office of Governor Jennifer Granholm Michael Dunham, Director of Energy and Environmental Programs, JACO Environmental WHAT: Customers taking advantage of DTE Energy's appliance recycling program have turned in more than 1,000 energy guzzling refrigerators since the program was launched in June. The DTE Energy program offers customers of its Detroit Edison subsidiary $50 for turning in older model refrigerators and freezers and hauls them away to be recycled for free. The company will begin dismantling these refrigerators August 12 at the opening of a new recycling plant in Livonia that will be adding 20 new "green" jobs to the Michigan economy. Workers will de-manufacture appliances using a mechanized process that safely prevents toxic oils, mercury and greenhouse gasses from escaping into the environment. Approximately 95 percent of each appliance is recycled, keeping it out of landfills. Reporters, photographers and camera crews can see the first Detroit Edison customers' refrigerators rolling down the conveyor belt and how they're dismantled. WHERE: JACO Environmental, 30957 Industrial Rd., Livonia, Mich. WHEN: Wednesday, August 12, 2009, 10 a.m. WHY: DTE Energy's program helps customers save money, energy and the environment. Research has shown that most second refrigerators were built before the current energy-efficiency standards were implemented and use as much as three times the energy of newer models. Consequently, these appliances consume significant amounts of energy for what, in many cases, is very limited use in homes today. Removing an old refrigerator can save up to $150 annually for the customer. Plus, customers receive a $50 incentive for participating in the program. The avoided carbon dioxide emissions from each refrigerator has about the same impact as taking two cars off the road for an entire year. FOR For more information about the DTE Energy's appliance MORE: recycling program, visit YourEnergySavings.com or call (866)796-0512. DATASOURCE: DTE Energy CONTACT: Lorie Kessler, +1-313-235-8807, or Eileen Dixon, +1-313-235-9154, both of DTE Energy; or Jennifer Castleberry of JACO, +1-916-496-7323 Web Site: http://www.dteenergy.com/ http://www.yourenergysavings.com/

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