DTE representatives were on hand at the Feb. 6 Orion Township Board meeting, to give trustees an update on projects completed in the past year.
According to their presentation, $7.8 million was spent by the energy company last year on six major projects.
Although none of the six projects took place in Orion, a couple of them could have a major impact on energy use within the township.
Ed Halash of DTE Energy said the biggest of the projects was the Giddings power substation, just south of the township border in Auburn Hills.
This project could alleviate problems in the growing southern part of Orion, by shifting responsibilities away from the two existing substations in that part of the township.
‘Things done outside of your borders can still have a major impact on you,? Halash said.
Another such project took place near the northwest corner of Orion, and could alleviate similar problems there.
There are currently five substations located within the township.
Halash said that line clearance, one of the biggest things done by DTE, is still done on a regular basis.
‘Line clearance is one of the most positive things we can do,? he said.
‘But it doesn’t solve everything.?
Halash said residents communicating their problems and concerns to DTE is still one of the best ways to improve the spread of energy in the area.
To report outages, call 1-800-477-4747.