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$1,000,000,000

DTE Energy Company

Common Stock

DTE Energy Trust I

     By this prospectus, we may offer from time to time:

     Each of the DTE Energy Trusts, which are Delaware business trusts, may offer from time to time:

     For each type of security listed above, the amount, price and terms will be determined at or prior to the time of sale.

     This prospectus provides a general description of the securities that we may offer. We will describe the specific terms of the securities in a supplement or supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement that describes those securities.

     We intend to sell these securities through underwriters, dealers, agents or directly to a limited number of purchasers. The names of, and any securities to be purchased by or through, these parties, the compensation of these parties and other special terms in connection with the offering and sale of these securities will be provided in the related prospectus supplement or supplements.

     Before you invest, you should carefully read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any information under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

     DTE Energy’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange under the symbol “DTE.”

     Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is dated December 11, 2001.

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      You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover of the this prospectus. DTE Energy’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such dates.

      In this prospectus, references to “DTE Energy,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to DTE Energy Company, unless the context indicates that the references are to DTE Energy Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, and references to the “DTE Energy Trusts” are to DTE Energy Trust I and DTE Energy Trust II.

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       We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our Securities and Exchange Commission filings are available to the public over the Internet at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s public reference rooms located at:

      Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms and their copy charges.

      You can also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about DTE at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005 and the offices of the Chicago Stock Exchange, 440 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605.

      The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the Securities and Exchange Commission will automatically update and supersede this information. Until we sell all of the securities covered by this prospectus, we incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (other than information in such documents that is deemed not to be filed):

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      Each of these documents is available from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s web site and public reference rooms described above. You may also request a copy of these filings, excluding exhibits, at no cost by writing or telephoning DTE Energy, at the address of our principal executive offices, which is:

      There are no separate financial statements of the DTE Energy Trusts in this prospectus. We do not believe these financial statements would be helpful because:

      Our web site address is http://www.dteenergy.com. The information on our web site is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

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      Neither DTE Energy nor either DTE Energy Trust is making an offer of the securities covered by this prospectus in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or in any other document incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of those documents.

       This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of DTE Energy. You can find many of these statements by looking for words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates” or similar expressions in this prospectus or in documents incorporated herein. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or the date of any document incorporated by reference.

      These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ from those expected due to a number of variables including, but not limited to:

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      Expected results will also be effected by our acquisition of MCN Energy Group Inc., which we refer to as MCN, on May 31, 2001, and the timing of the accretive effect of this acquisition. While DTE Energy believes that estimates given accurately measure the expected outcome, actual results could vary materially due to the variables mentioned, as well as others.

      All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

       We are a national energy company. We are the parent holding company of The Detroit Edison Company, which we refer to as Detroit Edison, Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, which we refer to as MichCon, DTE Enterprises Inc. (formerly MCN), which we refer to as DTEE, and other subsidiaries engaged in energy-related businesses.

      Detroit Edison is a Michigan public utility engaged in the generation, purchase, distribution and sale of electric energy to 2.1 million customers in a 7,600-square-mile Southeastern Michigan Service area. Detroit Edison’s service area includes about 13% of Michigan’s total land area and approximately five million people, which is about half of Michigan’s population. Detroit Edison’s residential customers reside in urban and rural areas, including an extensive shoreline along the Great Lakes and connecting waters.

      On May 31, 2001, DTE Energy completed the acquisition of MCN (now DTEE). DTEE is a Michigan corporation primarily involved in natural gas production, gathering, processing, transmission, storage and distribution and energy marketing. DTEE’s largest subsidiary, MichCon, is a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in a 14,700-square-mile area in Michigan.

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      We also have affiliates that engage in non-regulated businesses, including the following energy-related services and products:

      The mailing address of our principal executive offices is 2000 2nd Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, 48226-1279, and its telephone number is (313) 235-4000.

      Unaudited pro forma combined condensed consolidated statements of income giving effect to DTE Energy’s merger with MCN are included in this prospectus beginning on page F-1.

       We created DTE Energy Trust I and DTE Energy Trust II. They are Delaware business trusts, created by way of trust agreements and the filing of certificates of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State. We will execute amended and restated trust agreements for the DTE Energy Trusts, referred to in this prospectus as the trust agreements. These trust agreements will state the terms and conditions for the DTE Energy Trusts to issue and sell their trust preferred securities and trust common securities. We filed a form of trust agreement as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

      The DTE Energy Trusts will exist solely to:

      We will hold directly or indirectly all of the trust common securities of each of the DTE Energy Trusts. The trust common securities will represent an aggregate liquidation amount equal to at least 3% of each DTE Energy Trust’s total capitalization. The trust preferred securities will represent the remaining percentage of each DTE Energy Trust’s total capitalization. The trust common securities will have terms substantially identical to, and will rank equal in priority of payment with, the trust preferred securities. However, if DTE Energy defaults on the debt securities owned by a DTE Energy Trust or another event of default under the trust agreement occurs, then, so long as the default continues, cash distributions and liquidation, redemption and other amounts payable or deliverable on the securities of that trust must be paid or delivered to the holders of the trust preferred securities of that trust before the holders of the common securities of that trust.

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      The DTE Energy Trusts may not borrow money, issue debt, execute mortgages or pledge any of their assets.

      The trust preferred securities will be guaranteed by us as described in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following trustees will conduct each DTE Energy Trust’s business and affairs:

      Only we, as direct or indirect owner of the trust common securities, can remove or replace the administrative trustees. In addition, we can increase or decrease the number of administrative trustees. Also, we, as direct or indirect holder of the trust common securities, will generally have the sole right to remove or replace the property and Delaware trustees. However, if DTE Energy defaults on the debt securities owned by a DTE Energy Trust or another event of default under the trust agreement occurs, then, so long as that default is continuing, the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the outstanding trust preferred securities of that trust may remove and replace the property and Delaware trustees for that trust.

      We will pay all fees and expenses related to the DTE Energy Trusts and the offering of the trust preferred securities. We will also pay all ongoing costs and expenses of the DTE Energy Trusts, except each trust’s obligations under the trust preferred securities and trust common securities.

       Our ratios of earnings to fixed charges were as follows for the periods indicated in the table below.

      Our ratios of earnings to fixed charges were computed based on:

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       Unless otherwise specified in the supplement which accompanies this prospectus, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities for general corporate purposes, which may include financing the development and construction of new facilities, additions to working capital and repurchase or refinancing of securities. We may also invest funds not immediately required for such purposes in short-term investment grade securities. The amount and timing of sales of the securities will depend on market conditions and the availability of other funds.

      The DTE Energy Trusts will use all proceeds from the sale of the trust common and trust preferred securities to purchase debt securities of DTE Energy.

       The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements, summarize all the material terms and provisions of the various types of securities that DTE Energy and the DTE Energy Trusts may offer. The particular terms of the securities offered by any prospectus supplement will be described in that prospectus supplement. If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of the securities may differ from the terms summarized below. The prospectus supplement will also contain information, where applicable, about material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the securities, and the securities exchange, if any, on which the securities will be listed.

      We may sell from time to time, in one or more offerings:

      The DTE Energy Trusts may offer and sell from time to time their trust preferred securities guaranteed by us.

      In this prospectus, DTE Energy and the DTE Energy Trusts refer to the common stock and related rights, senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities, common stock purchase contracts, common stock purchase units, trust preferred securities and our guarantees of the trust preferred securities collectively as “securities.”

      If DTE Energy and/or the DTE Energy Trusts issue securities at a discount from their original stated principal or liquidation amount, then, for purposes of calculating the total dollar amount of all securities issued under this prospectus, DTE Energy and/or the DTE Energy Trusts will treat the initial offering price of the securities as the total original principal or liquidation amount of the securities.

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Authorized Capital Stock

      The authorized capital stock of DTE Energy currently consists of 400,000,000 shares of DTE Energy common stock, without par value, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value. As of October 31, 2001, there were 162,652,459 shares of DTE Energy common stock issued and outstanding. All outstanding shares of common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. As of October 31, 2001, there were no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding and 1,500,000 shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to the rights agreement, dated September 23, 1997, between DTE Energy and The Detroit Edison Company. Each outstanding share of DTE Energy common stock currently has attached to it one preferred share purchase right, issued under the rights agreement.

      Under the DTE Energy amended and restated articles of incorporation, which we refer to as the articles of incorporation, our board of directors may cause the issuance of one or more new series of the authorized shares of preferred stock, determine the number of shares constituting any such new series and fix the voting, distribution, dividend, liquidation and all other rights and limitations of the preferred stock. These rights may be superior to those of the DTE Energy common stock. To the extent any shares of DTE Energy’s preferred stock have voting rights, no share of preferred stock may be entitled to more than one vote per share, except with respect to election of directors, in which case cumulative voting may be available.

Common Stock

      The following description of our common stock, together with the additional information included in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of this type of security. We will describe the specific terms of any common stock we may offer in a prospectus supplement. If indicated in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any common stock offered under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. For the complete terms of our common stock, please refer to our articles of incorporation, bylaws and rights agreement that are incorporated by reference into the registration statement that includes this prospectus or may be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The terms of our common stock may also be affected by the laws of the State of Michigan.

Voting

      Subject to any special voting rights which may vest in the holders of preferred stock, the holders of DTE common stock are entitled to vote as a class and are entitled to one vote per share for each share held of record on all matters voted on by shareholders, except with respect to the election of directors, in which case cumulative voting is available. All questions other than election of directors are decided by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares entitled to vote on that question, unless a greater vote is required by the articles of incorporation or Michigan law. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast.

      We are subject to Chapter 7A of the Michigan Business Corporation Act, which provides that business combinations subject to Chapter 7A between a Michigan corporation and a beneficial owner of shares entitled to 10% or more of the voting power of

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      In addition, our bylaws provide that Chapter 7B of the Michigan Business Corporation Act, which we refer to as the Act, does not apply to DTE Energy. The Act regulates shareholder rights when an individual’s stock ownership reaches at least 20 percent of a Michigan corporation’s outstanding shares. Accordingly, pursuant to DTE Energy’s bylaws, a shareholder seeking control of DTE Energy cannot require the DTE Energy’s board of directors to call a meeting to vote on issues related to corporate control within 10 days, as stipulated by the Act.

Board of Directors

      Our bylaws provide for a board of directors that is divided into three classes. Each class serves a three-year term and the classes are as nearly equal in size as possible. the number of directors is fixed by the board of directors from time to time but not less than 10 nor more than 18, subject to the board of director’s authority to change the minimum and maximum number of directors. We currently have 13 directors. Under our bylaws, the provision providing for the classification of the board of directors may not be amended or repealed without the vote of a majority of the shares of DTE Energy’s common stock.

Amendments to DTE Energy’s Articles of Incorporation

      Under Michigan law, our articles of incorporation may be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the proposed amendment (which would include the common stock and any series of preferred stock which, by its terms or applicable law, was so entitled to vote), and, if any class or series of shares is entitled to vote as a class, then the proposed amendment must be approved by the required vote of each class or series of shares entitled to vote as a class.

Dividends

      Holders of common stock are entitled to participate equally in respect of dividends as and when dividends are declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for their payment. As a Michigan corporation, we are subject to statutory limitations on the declaration and payment of dividends. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of DTE Energy, holders of our common stock have the right to DTE Energy’s assets remaining after satisfaction in full of the prior rights of creditors, and all liabilities and the aggregate liquidation preferences of any outstanding shares of DTE Energy preferred stock. The holders of our common stock have no conversion, redemption or preemptive rights. However, this dividend right is subject to any preferential dividend rights we may grant to future holders of preferred stock. Dividends on common stock of DTE Energy will depend in the foreseeable future primarily upon the earnings, financial condition and capital requirements of Detroit Edison and MichCon. Our ability to pay dividends on our common stock may be limited by existing or future covenants limiting the right of Detroit Edison or

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Listing

      Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange under the symbol “DTE.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

      The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is The Detroit Edison Company, 2000 2nd Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48226-1279.

Rights Agreement

      The following is a description of the rights issued or to be issued under the DTE Energy rights agreement. The following description of the DTE Energy rights and the DTE Energy rights agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the text of the DTE Energy rights agreement, which is incorporated herein by reference to the DTE Energy rights agreement filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

      Our rights agreement provides for the issuance of a right to the holder of each share of DTE Energy common stock. Under DTE Energy’s rights agreement, each right entitles the holder of the DTE Energy right to purchase from DTE Energy one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, without par value, of DTE Energy at a price of $90.00 per one one-hundredth of a preferred share, subject to adjustment as provided for in the DTE Energy rights agreement. The rights, which are attached to and trade with the shares of DTE Energy common stock until they are exercisable, may not be exercised until the close of business 10 calendar days, or such later time as the DTE Energy board of directors may specify, after the earlier of:

      DTE Energy, its subsidiaries, employee benefit or stock ownership plans, and affiliates or associates of DTE Energy are not persons whose ownership triggers the exercisability of the rights. The rights will expire on October 6, 2007, unless earlier redeemed, exchanged or amended by DTE Energy.

       The following description, together with any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes all the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that DTE Energy may offer under this prospectus and the related trust indenture. We will issue the debt securities under an amended and restated indenture, dated as of April 9, 2001, as

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      This summary of the indenture and the debt securities relates to terms and conditions applicable to the debt securities generally. The particular terms of any series of debt securities will be summarized in the applicable prospectus supplement. If indicated in the prospectus supplement, the terms of any series may differ from the terms summarized below.

      Because the summary of the material provisions of the indenture and the debt securities set forth below and the summary of the material terms of a particular series of debt securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement are not complete, you should refer to the forms of the indenture and the debt securities for complete information regarding the terms and provisions of the indenture (including defined terms) and the debt securities. Wherever particular articles, sections or defined terms of the indenture are referred to, those articles, sections or defined terms are incorporated herein by reference, and the statement in connection with which such reference is made is qualified in its entirety by such reference.

      The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities we may issue under it, and it provides that additional debt securities of any series may be issued up to the aggregate principal amount that we authorize from time to time. Debt securities may also be issued pursuant to the indenture in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. Those debt securities will not be considered in determining the aggregate amount of securities issued under this prospectus. As of September 30, 2001, approximately $1.750 billion aggregate principal amount of debt securities was issued and outstanding under the indenture.

      Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue registered debt securities in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 and bearer securities in denominations of $5,000.

      Principal and any premium and interest in respect to the debt securities will be payable, and the debt securities will be transferable, at the corporate trust office of the trustee, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. At our option, however, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the registered holders of the debt securities at their registered addresses.

      We will describe special U.S. federal income tax and other considerations relating to debt securities denominated in foreign currencies or units of two or more foreign currencies in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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General

      The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities being offered will specify whether they are senior or subordinated debt securities and the amounts, prices and terms of those debt securities. These terms may include:

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      We are not obligated to issue all debt securities of any one series at the same time. The debt securities of any one series may not bear interest at the same rate or mature on the same date.

      Under the indenture, the terms of the debt securities of any series may differ and we, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of any series, may reopen a previous series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of such series or establish additional terms of such series.

      If any of the debt securities are sold for foreign currencies or foreign currency units or if the principal of, or any premium or interest on, any series of debt securities is payable in foreign currencies or foreign currency units, we will describe the restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information with respect to those debt securities and such foreign currencies or foreign currency units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

      Other than as described below under “— Covenants” with respect to any applicable series of debt securities and as may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture does not limit our ability to incur indebtedness or afford holders of debt securities protection in the event of a decline in our credit quality or if we are involved in a takeover, recapitalization or highly leveraged or similar transaction. Accordingly, we could in the future enter into transactions that could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding at that time or otherwise affect our capital structure or credit rating. You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities for information regarding the applicability of the covenant described below under “— Covenants — Limitation on Secured Debt” or any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the events of default described below or covenants contained in the indenture, including any addition of a covenant or other provisions providing event risk or similar protection.

Ranking

      Because we are a holding company that conducts substantially all of its operations through subsidiaries, holders of debt securities and guarantees of DTE Energy will generally have a junior position to claims of creditors of those subsidiaries, including trade creditors, debtholders, secured creditors, taxing authorities, guarantee holders and preferred stockholders, if any. Our subsidiaries, principally Detroit Edison and MichCon, from time to time incur debt to finance their business activities. Substantially all of the physical properties of Detroit Edison and MichCon are subject to the liens of their respective mortgage indentures as security for the payment of outstanding mortgage bonds.

      Our assets consist primarily of investment in subsidiaries. Our ability to service indebtedness, including any debt securities and guarantees, depends on the earnings of our subsidiaries and the distribution or other payment from subsidiaries of earnings to us in the form of dividends, loans or advances, and repayment of loans and advances from us. The subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due under the debt securities or to make payments to us in order for us to pay our obligations under the debt securities. In addition, Detroit Edison has the right to defer interest payments on its outstanding junior subordinated debentures.

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Senior Debt Securities

      Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, our obligation to pay the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness.

Subordinated Debt Securities

      Our obligation to pay the principal of, and any premium and interest on, any series of subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness (as defined below) to the extent provided in the supplemental indenture relating to the series and the terms of those subordinated debt securities, as described below and in any applicable prospectus supplement, which may make deletions from, or modifications or additions to, the subordination terms described below.

      Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities of DTE Energy to creditors upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, or any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding of DTE Energy, the holders of Senior Indebtedness will first be entitled to receive payment in full of the Senior Indebtedness before the holders of subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive any payment or distribution in respect of the subordinated debt securities, and to that end the holders of Senior Indebtedness will be entitled to receive, for application to the payment thereof, any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including any such payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other Indebtedness of DTE Energy being subordinated to the payment of subordinated debt securities of such series, which may be payable or deliverable in respect of the subordinated debt securities of such series upon any such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization or in any such bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceeding.

      By reason of such subordination, in the event of liquidation or insolvency of DTE Energy, holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any series and holders of other obligations of DTE Energy that are not subordinated to such Senior Indebtedness may recover more, ratably, than the holders of the subordinated debt securities of such series.

      Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any series, the rights of the holders of the subordinated debt securities of such series will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of DTE Energy applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any additional amounts with respect to, the subordinated debt securities of such series have been paid in full.

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      No payments on account of principal or any premium or interest in respect of the subordinated debt securities may be made if there has occurred and is continuing a default in any payment with respect to Senior Indebtedness or an event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness resulting in the acceleration of its maturity, or if any judicial proceeding is pending with respect to any default.

      “Indebtedness” means

      “Senior Indebtedness,” for purposes of subordinated debt securities of each series, means all Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of issuance of subordinated debt securities of the applicable series or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, except Indebtedness ranking equally with the subordinated debt securities or Indebtedness ranking junior to the subordinated debt securities. Senior Indebtedness does not include obligations to trade creditors or indebtedness of DTE Energy to its subsidiaries. Senior Indebtedness with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any particular series will continue to be Senior Indebtedness with respect to the subordinated debt securities of such series and be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness.

      “Indebtedness ranking equally with the subordinated debt securities,” for purposes of subordinated debt securities of the applicable series, means Indebtedness, whether

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      “Indebtedness ranking junior to the subordinated debt securities,” for purposes of subordinated debt securities of the applicable series, means any Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of issuance of the subordinated debt securities of the applicable series or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, to the extent the Indebtedness by its terms ranks junior to and not equally with or prior to

in right of payment upon the happening of the dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of DTE Energy. The securing of any Indebtedness otherwise constituting Indebtedness ranking junior to the subordinated debt securities will not prevent the Indebtedness from constituting Indebtedness ranking junior to the subordinated debt securities.

Covenants

      The indenture contains covenants for the benefit of holders of debt securities of each series. The following covenant will apply to a series of debt securities only to the extent specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Limitation on Secured Debt

      If this covenant is made applicable to the debt securities of any particular series, we have agreed that we will not create, issue, incur or assume any Secured Debt (as defined below) without the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series with respect to which this covenant is made, considered as one class; provided, however, that the foregoing covenant will not prohibit the creation, issuance, incurrence or assumption of any Secured Debt if we either:

      “Debt” means

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      “Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof or any agreement to give any security interest).

      “Secured Debt” means Debt created, issued, incurred or assumed by DTE Energy which is secured by a Lien upon any shares of stock of any Significant Subsidiary, as defined in Regulation S-X of the rules and regulations under the Securities Act, whether owned at the date of the initial authentication and delivery of the debt securities of any series or thereafter acquired.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

      We may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities, consolidate or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to, any person that is a corporation, partnership or trust, organized and validly existing under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction. We may also permit any of those persons to consolidate with or merge into us or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to us, as long as:

Events of Default

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, an event of default with respect to any series of debt securities will be any of the following events:

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      If an event of default with respect to the debt securities of any series, other than an event of default described in the item above pertaining to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. At any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of money has been obtained by the trustee, and subject to applicable law and certain other provisions of the indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul the acceleration. If an event of default occurs pertaining to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest and any additional amounts payable in respect of the debt securities of that series — or a lesser amount as provided for in the debt securities of that series — will be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act by the trustee or any holder.

      The indenture provides that within 90 days after the occurrence of any default under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series, the trustee must transmit, in

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      If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to the debt securities of any series, the trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the holders of debt securities of such series by all appropriate judicial proceedings.

      The indenture further provides that, subject to the duty of the trustee during any default to act with the required standard of care, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities, unless that requesting holder has offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the trustee, and subject to applicable law and certain other provisions of the indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of such series.

      Notwithstanding any other provision of the indenture, the holder of any debt security will have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such debt security on the respective due dates for the respective debt security (as the same may be extended in accordance with the terms of such debt security) and to institute a suit for enforcement of any such payment, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such holder.

Interest Rates and Discounts

      The debt securities will earn interest at a fixed or floating rate or rates for the period or periods of time specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will bear interest on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

      We may sell debt securities at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market rates. U.S. Federal income tax consequences and special considerations that apply to any series will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Exchange, Registration and Transfer

      Registered securities of any series that are not global securities will be exchangeable for other registered securities of the same series and of like aggregate principal amount and tenor in different authorized denominations. In addition, if debt securities of any series are

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      Holders may present registered securities for registration of transfer, together with a duly executed form of transfer, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for that purpose with respect to any series of debt securities and referred to in the applicable prospectus supplement. This may be done without service charge but upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the indenture. The security registrar or the transfer agent will effect the transfer or exchange upon being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. We have appointed the trustee as security registrar for the indenture. If a prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agents initially designated by us with respect to any series of debt securities in addition to the security registrar, we may at any time rescind the designation of any of those transfer agents or approve a change in the location through which any of those transfer agents acts. However, if debt securities of a series are issuable solely as registered securities, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for that series, and if debt securities of a series are issuable as bearer securities, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in a place of payment for that series located in Europe in addition to the security registrar. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of debt securities.

      In the event of any redemption, we will not be required to:

Payment and Paying Agents

      Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, bearer securities will be payable in

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      Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, registered securities will be made at the office of the paying agent or paying agents that we designate at various times. However, at our option, we may make interest payments by check mailed to the address, as it appears in the security register, of the person entitled to the payments. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of any installment of interest on registered securities to the person in whose name that registered security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest.

      Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the corporate trust office of the trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, will be designated:

      We will name any paying agents outside the United States and any other paying agents in the United States initially designated by us for the debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts. However, if debt securities of a series are issuable solely as registered securities, we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for that series. If debt securities of a series are issuable as bearer securities, we will be required to maintain:

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      However, if the debt securities of that series are listed on The Stock Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States, and if the stock exchange requires it, we will maintain a paying agent in London or Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States for those debt securities.

      All monies we pay to a paying agent for the payment of principal of, and any premium or interest on, any debt security or coupon that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after becoming due and payable will be repaid to us. After that time, the holder of the debt security or coupon will look only to us for payments out of those repaid amounts.

Global Securities

      The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates that we will deposit with a depository identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities it represents, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole:

      To the extent not described below and under the heading “Book-Entry Securities,” we will describe the terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. We anticipate that the following provisions will generally apply to depository arrangements.

      As long as the depository for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global security, the depository or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided under “Book-Entry Securities” or in any applicable prospectus supplement, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:

      The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the owner’s ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

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      Payments of principal of, and any premium and interest on, individual debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made to the depository or its nominee as the registered owner of the global security representing such debt securities. Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent nor the registrar for the debt securities will be responsible for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made by the depository or any participants on account of beneficial interests of the global security.

      For a description of the depository arrangements for global securities held by The Depository Trust Company, see “Book-Entry Securities.”

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

      We may discharge certain obligations to holders of any series of debt securities that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that:

      To discharge the obligations with respect to a series of debt securities, we must deposit with the trustee, in trust, an amount of funds in U.S. dollars or in the foreign currency in which those debt securities are payable. The deposited amount must be sufficient to pay the entire amount of principal of, and any premium or interest on, those debt securities to the date of the deposit if those debt securities have become due and payable or to the maturity of the debt securities, as the case may be; provided, however, we have paid all other sums payable under the indenture with respect to the debt securities, and certain other conditions are met.

      Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect

      In the case of defeasance we will still retain some obligations in respect of the debt securities, including our obligations:

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      After a covenant defeasance, any omission to comply with the obligations or covenants that have been defeased shall not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities.

      To elect either defeasance or covenant defeasance we must deposit with the trustee, in trust, an amount, in U.S. dollars or in the foreign currency in which the relevant debt securities are payable at stated maturity, or in government obligations, as defined below, or both, applicable to such debt securities. The deposit will provide through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms, money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on (and, to the extent that (x) the debt securities of such series provide for the payment of additional amounts and (y) we may reasonably determine the amount of any such additional amounts at the time of deposit (in the exercise of our sole discretion), any such additional amounts with respect to) such debt securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon, on their scheduled due dates.

      In addition, we can only elect defeasance or covenant defeasance if, among other things:

      The indenture deems a foreign currency to be any currency, currency unit or composite currency including, without limitation, the euro, issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States or by any recognized confederation or association of governments.

      The indenture defines government obligations as securities which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers and are:

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      Government obligations also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any government obligation described above or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or any other amount with respect to any government obligation held by that custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, as long as, except as required by law, that custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of the depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian with respect to the government obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or any other amount with respect to the government obligation evidenced by the depositary receipt.

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if, after we have deposited funds and/or government obligations to effect defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to debt securities of any series, either:

      The indenture defines a “conversion event” as the cessation of use of:

      Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, all payments of principal of, and any premium and interest on, any debt security that are payable in a foreign currency that ceases to be used by the government or confederation of issuance shall be made in U.S. dollars.

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      If we effect a covenant defeasance with respect to any debt securities and the debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default other than an event of default with respect to which there has been covenant defeasance, the amount in the foreign currency in which the debt securities are payable, and government obligations on deposit with the trustee, will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities at the time of the stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. However, we would remain liable for payment of the amounts due at the time of acceleration.

      The applicable prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, permitting defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any modifications to the provisions described above, with respect to the debt securities of or within a particular series.

      Under the indenture, we are required to furnish to the trustee annually a statement as to our performance of certain of our obligations under the indenture and as to any default in such performance. We are also required to deliver to the trustee, within five days after occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which after notice or lapse of time or both would constitute an event of default.

Modification and Waiver

      We and the trustee may, without the consent of holders, modify provisions of the indenture for certain purposes, including, among other things, curing ambiguities and maintaining the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. We and the trustee may modify certain other provisions of the indenture with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each series issued under the indenture affected by the modification. However, the provisions of the indenture may not be modified without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected thereby if the modification would:

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We and the trustee may, without the consent of holders, modify provisions of the indenture for certain purposes, including, among other things:

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      The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of any series issued under the indenture may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, waive our compliance with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture. The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of any series issued under the indenture may, on behalf of all holders of debt securities of that series, waive any past default and its consequences under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series, except:

Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of Trust Preferred Securities

      The following applies only in the event that debt securities are held by a DTE Energy Trust.

      To the extent that any action under any debt securities held by a DTE Energy Trust is entitled to be taken by the holders of at least a specified percentage of those debt securities, and unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the trust preferred securities issued by that DTE Energy Trust may take action if the action is not taken by the property trustee of that DTE Energy Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an event of default under those debt securities has occurred and is continuing and is attributable either to:

and an event of default has occurred and is continuing under the applicable trust agreement, a holder of the related trust preferred securities may institute a direct action.

      A “direct action” is a legal proceeding directly against DTE Energy for enforcement of payment to the holder of trust preferred securities issued by a DTE Energy Trust of the principal of or any premium or interest on the debt securities held by that trust having a principal amount equal to the liquidation amount of those trust preferred securities held by

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      The holders of the trust preferred securities will not be able to exercise directly any remedies, other than those set forth in the preceding paragraph, available to the holders of the related debt securities unless an event of default has occurred and is continuing under the applicable trust agreement. See “Description of Trust Preferred Securities — Events of Default; Notice” below.

Governing Law

      The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Regarding the Trustee

      The trustee under the indenture will be The Bank of New York. In addition to acting as trustee, The Bank of New York, as described in this prospectus, also acts as property trustee under the trust agreement and the guarantee trustee under the guarantee; The Bank of New York (Delaware) acts as the Delaware trustee under the trust agreement. The Bank of New York also acts as trustee with respect to the securitization bonds issued by The Detroit Edison Securitization Funding LLC and may act as trustee under various other indentures, trusts and guarantees of DTE Energy and its affiliates and perform other banking, trust and investment banking services for DTE Energy and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

      The Trust Indenture Act contains limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become a creditor of DTE Energy, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claims, as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with DTE Energy and its subsidiaries from time to time, provided that if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict upon the occurrence of an event of default under the indenture, or else resign.

       We may issue stock purchase contracts, representing contracts entitling or obligating holders to purchase from DTE Energy, and DTE Energy to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock at a future date or dates. The price per share of common stock may be fixed at the time the contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the contracts. The common stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as a part of units, which are referred to in this

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      The common stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the common stock purchase units or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The common stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations thereunder in a specified manner, and in certain circumstances we may deliver newly issued prepaid common stock purchase contracts, which are referred to as “prepaid securities,” upon release to a holder of any collateral securing such holder’s obligations under the original contract.

      The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any common stock purchase contracts or units and, if applicable, prepaid securities. The description in the prospectus supplement will not purport to be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the contracts, the collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable, relating to such contracts or units and, if applicable, the prepaid securities and the document pursuant to which such prepaid securities will be issued.

       Each DTE Energy Trust will issue under its trust agreement only one series of trust preferred securities, which will represent beneficial interests in that DTE Energy Trust. Each DTE Energy Trust will qualify its trust agreement under the Trust Indenture Act. Each trust agreement is subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act. This summary of certain terms and provisions of the trust preferred securities and the trust agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the trust preferred securities and the trust agreement, including the definitions of certain terms, and those made a part of the trust agreement by the Trust Indenture Act. A form of trust agreement, including a form of trust securities, is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.

General

      The trust preferred securities of each DTE Energy Trust will rank equally, and payments will be made on the trust preferred securities proportionately, with the trust common securities of each DTE Energy Trust except as described under “— Subordination of Trust Common Securities.” Each DTE Energy Trust will use the proceeds from the sale of trust preferred securities and trust common securities to purchase an aggregate principal amount of debt securities of DTE Energy equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of those trust preferred securities and trust common securities. The property

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      The revenue of a DTE Energy Trust available for distribution to holders of its trust preferred securities will be limited to payments under the related debt securities and any other assets held by that DTE Energy Trust. If DTE Energy fails to make a required payment in respect of those debt securities or any other assets, that DTE Energy Trust will not have sufficient funds to make the related payments, including distributions, in respect of its trust preferred securities.

      Each DTE Energy Trust will describe the specific terms of the trust preferred securities it is offering in the applicable prospectus supplement, including:

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      Each DTE Energy Trust will also describe certain material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to any offering of trust preferred securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

      If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of a DTE Energy Trust may differ from the terms summarized below.

Subordination of Trust Common Securities

      Each DTE Energy Trust will pay distributions on, and the applicable redemption price of, and any other amounts payable or property deliverable under, the trust securities it issues equally among its trust preferred securities and its trust common securities based on their respective liquidation amounts. But, if on any distribution date, redemption date, repayment date or conversion or exchange date, or upon liquidation or an event of default under the debt securities held by that DTE Energy Trust or any other event of default under the trust agreement has occurred and is continuing, that DTE Energy Trust will not pay any distribution on, or applicable redemption or repayment price of, or convert or exchange any of its trust common securities. Further, it will not make any other payment on account of the redemption, repayment, conversion, exchange, liquidation or other acquisition of the trust common securities, unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated distributions on all of the outstanding trust preferred securities of that DTE Energy Trust for all distribution periods terminating on or before the redemption, repayment, conversion, exchange, liquidation or other acquisition, and, in the case of payment of the applicable redemption or repayment price, the full amount of the redemption or repayment price, will have been made or provided for. And, in the case of conversion or exchange, no such payments will be made unless the trust preferred securities have been converted or exchanged in full and other amounts payable have been paid. The property trustee will apply all available funds first to the payment in full in cash of all distributions on, or the applicable redemption price of, the trust preferred securities issued by that DTE Energy Trust then due and payable.

      Until any event of default under the trust agreement for a DTE Energy Trust has been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the property trustee will act solely on behalf of the holders of the trust preferred securities of that DTE Energy Trust and not on behalf of DTE Energy as the direct or indirect trust common securities owner, and only the holders of the trust preferred securities issued by that DTE Energy Trust will have the right to direct the property trustee to act on their behalf.

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Events of Default; Notice

      The occurrence of an event of default under the debt securities held by a DTE Energy Trust will constitute an event of default under the trust agreement for that DTE Energy Trust. Within 90 days after the occurrence of an event of default actually known to the property trustee, the property trustee will transmit notice of that event of default to the holders of the trust preferred securities of that DTE Energy Trust, the administrative trustees and DTE Energy, as sponsor, unless the event of default shall have been cured or waived.

      For a discussion of the limited circumstances in which holders of trust preferred securities may bring a direct action against DTE Energy under the debt securities, see “Description Of Debt Securities — Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of Trust Preferred Securities.” The applicable prospectus supplement may describe additional events of default under the trust agreement.

Removal of Trustees

      Unless an event of default under the debt securities held by a DTE Energy Trust has occurred and is continuing, DTE Energy, as the direct or indirect owner of trust common securities of that DTE Energy Trust, may remove the property trustee, the Delaware trustee and the administrative trustees at any time. If an event of default under the debt securities held by a DTE Energy Trust has occurred and is continuing, only the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the outstanding trust preferred securities of that DTE Energy Trust may remove and replace the property trustee and the Delaware trustee for that DTE Energy Trust. In no event will the holders of the trust preferred securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the administrative trustees, which voting rights are vested exclusively in DTE Energy as the direct or indirect trust common securities owner. No resignation or removal of a property or Delaware trustee, and no appointment of a successor to that trustee, will be effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of the applicable trust agreement.

Merger or Consolidation of Property or Delaware Trustees

      Any person into which the property trustee or the Delaware trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the property trustee or the Delaware trustee will be a party, or any person succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the property trustee or the Delaware trustee, will be the successor of the property trustee or the Delaware trustee under the trust agreement, provided that the person will be otherwise qualified and eligible.

Mergers, Conversions, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of a DTE Energy Trust

      A DTE Energy Trust may not merge with or into, convert into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, to any other person, except as described below or as otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement. A DTE Energy Trust may, at the request of DTE Energy, as sponsor, with the consent of the administrative trustees but

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      Despite the foregoing, a DTE Energy Trust may, with the consent of holders of 100% in liquidation amount of the trust securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it, if the consolidation, amalgamation, merger or replacement would cause the DTE Energy Trust or the successor entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

Voting Rights; Amendment of Trust Agreement

      Except as provided under “— Mergers, Conversions, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of a DTE Energy Trust” and “Description of Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees — Amendments and Assignment” and as otherwise required by law and the trust agreement or specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holders of trust preferred securities will have no voting rights.

      DTE Energy, the property trustee, the Delaware trustee and the administrative trustees may amend from time to time the trust agreement for a DTE Energy Trust, without the consent of the holders of the trust securities of that DTE Energy Trust,

provided, however, that in the case of the first bullet point above, the modification will not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the holders of the trust securities issued by that DTE Energy Trust.

      Without the consent of each holder of trust securities issued by a DTE Energy Trust, the trust agreement for that DTE Energy Trust may not be amended to:

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      So long as the property trustee holds any debt securities for a DTE Energy Trust, the property trustee, the Delaware trustee and the administrative trustees for that DTE Energy Trust will not:

without, in each case, obtaining the prior approval of the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of all outstanding trust preferred securities of that DTE Energy Trust. But, where a consent under the indenture would require the consent of each holder of those debt securities affected thereby, the property trustee will not consent without the prior approval of each holder of the trust preferred securities issued by that DTE Energy Trust. The property trustee, the Delaware trustee and the administrative trustees may not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the holders of trust preferred securities except by subsequent vote of the holders. The property trustee will notify each holder of trust preferred securities of any notice of default with respect to the applicable debt securities. In addition to obtaining approvals of holders of trust preferred securities referred to above, prior to taking any of the foregoing actions (other than directing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the debt securities trustee), the property trustee will obtain an opinion of counsel experienced in these matters to the effect that the applicable DTE Energy Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes on account of such action.

      Any required approval of holders of trust preferred securities may be given at a meeting of the holders convened for this purpose or by written consent without prior notice. The property trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at which holders of trust preferred securities are entitled to vote to be given to each holder of record of trust preferred securities in the manner set forth in the trust agreement.

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      Notwithstanding that holders of trust preferred securities are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances referred to above, any trust preferred securities that are owned by DTE Energy or any affiliate of DTE Energy will, for purposes of this vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.

Global Trust Preferred Securities

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, trust preferred securities will be represented by one or more global certificates deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, also referred to as DTC, or other depository identified in the prospectus supplement, or a nominee of DTC or other depository, in each case for credit to an account of a participant in DTC or other depository. The identity of the depository and the specific terms of the depositary arrangements with respect to the trust preferred securities to be represented by one or more global certificates to the extent not discussed under “Book-Entry Securities” will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. However, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, DTC will be the depository and the depository arrangements described with respect to the debt securities will apply to those trust preferred securities as well, except all references to DTE Energy shall include DTE Energy Trust I and DTE Energy Trust II and all references to the indenture will refer to the applicable trust agreement. See “Description of Debt Securities — Global Securities” and “Book-Entry Securities.”

Payment and Paying Agent

      Payments in respect of any global certificate representing trust preferred securities will be made to Cede & Co. as nominee of DTC or other applicable depository or its nominee, which will credit the relevant accounts at DTC or other depository on the applicable payment dates, while payments in respect of trust preferred securities in certificated form will be made by check mailed to the address of the holder entitled thereto as the address will appear on the register. The paying agent will initially be the property trustee and any co-paying agent chosen by the property trustee and acceptable to the administrative trustees and DTE Energy. The paying agent will be permitted to resign as paying agent upon 30 days prior written notice to the property trustee, the administrative trustees and DTE Energy. In the event that the property trustee will no longer be the paying agent, the administrative trustees will appoint a successor, which will be a bank or trust company acceptable to the administrative trustees and DTE Energy, to act as paying agent.

Registrar and Transfer Agent

      The property trustee will act as registrar and transfer agent for the trust preferred securities.

      Registration of transfers of trust preferred securities will be effected without charge by or on behalf of a DTE Energy Trust, upon payment of any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange. A DTE Energy Trust will not be required to register or cause to be registered the transfer of its trust preferred securities after they have been converted, exchanged, redeemed, repaid or called for redemption or repayment.

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Information Concerning the Property Trustee

      The property trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the trust agreement, will undertake to perform only the duties that are specifically set forth in the trust agreement and, during the continuance of that event of default, must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to the foregoing, the property trustee will not be under any obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the trust agreement at the request of any holder of the related trust securities unless the holder offers the property trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur thereby.

Miscellaneous

      The administrative trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of and to operate each DTE Energy Trust in such a way that:

      DTE Energy and the administrative trustees are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable law, the certificate of trust of each DTE Energy Trust or each trust agreement, that the administrative trustees determine in their discretion to be necessary or desirable for those purposes, as long as that action does not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the related trust securities.

      Holders of trust preferred securities will not have any preemptive or similar rights.

Accounting Treatment

      Each DTE Energy Trust will be treated as a subsidiary of ours for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, our consolidated financial statements will include the accounts of each trust. The trust preferred securities for each DTE Energy Trust, along with other trust preferred securities that we guarantee on an equivalent basis, will be presented as a separate line item in our consolidated balance sheets, and appropriate disclosures about the trust preferred securities, the applicable guarantee and the debt securities will be included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. We will record distributions that each DTE Energy Trust pays on its trust preferred securities as an expense in our consolidated statement of income.

       DTE Energy will execute and deliver a guarantee concurrently with the issuance by a DTE Energy Trust of its trust preferred securities for the benefit of the holders from time to time of those trust preferred securities. That guarantee will be held for those holders by a guarantee trustee. DTE Energy will qualify each of the guarantees as an indenture under

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General

      Pursuant to and to the extent set forth in the guarantee, DTE Energy will irrevocably and unconditionally agree to pay in full the guarantee payments to the holders of the related trust preferred securities, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that a DTE Energy Trust may have or assert. The following payments constitute guarantee payments with respect to trust preferred securities and, to the extent not paid by or on behalf of a DTE Energy Trust, will be subject to the applicable guarantee:

      DTE Energy’s obligation to make a guarantee payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by DTE Energy to the holders of the applicable trust preferred securities entitled to those payments or by causing the applicable DTE Energy Trust to pay those amounts to the holders.

      If the trust preferred securities are exchangeable or convertible into other securities, DTE Energy will also irrevocably agree to cause the applicable DTE Energy Trust to deliver to holders of those trust preferred securities those other securities in accordance with the applicable exchange or conversion provisions.

      DTE Energy will, through the guarantee, the applicable trust agreement, the related debt securities and the applicable indenture, taken together, fully, irrevocably and

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Ranking

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of DTE Energy and will rank equal to the debt securities held by the DTE Energy Trust that issued the preferred trust securities covered by the guarantee. Each trust agreement provides that each holder of trust preferred securities, by acceptance of the applicable trust preferred securities, agrees to the terms of the related guarantee, including any subordination provisions.

      The guarantees will not limit the amount of secured or unsecured debt, including indebtedness under the indenture, that may be incurred by DTE Energy or any of its subsidiaries.

Guarantee of Payment

      Each guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of collection. This means that the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding directly against DTE Energy to enforce its rights under a guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity. A guarantee will not be discharged except by payment of the related guarantee payments in full to the extent not paid by the applicable DTE Energy Trust or upon distribution of the debt securities or other assets held by the DTE Energy Trust to the holders of the its trust preferred securities.

Amendments and Assignment

      Except with respect to any changes that do not materially adversely affect the rights of holders of the related trust preferred securities, in which case no approval will be required, a guarantee may not be amended without the prior approval of the holders of a majority of the liquidation amount of the outstanding trust preferred securities covered by that guarantee. The manner of obtaining any approval will be as set forth under “Description Of Trust Preferred Securities — Voting Rights; Amendment of a Trust Agreement.” All guarantees and agreements contained in a guarantee will bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of DTE Energy and will inure to the benefit of the holders of the related trust preferred securities then outstanding.

Events of Default

      An event of default under a guarantee will occur upon the failure of DTE Energy to perform any of its payment or other obligations under that guarantee, provided that, except with respect to a default in respect of any guarantee payment or delivery of any securities upon conversion or exchange of the trust securities, DTE Energy has not cured the default 90 days from the date the guarantee trustee obtains knowledge of the event of default. The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities covered by a guarantee will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any

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      If the guarantee trustee fails to enforce a guarantee, any holder of the related trust preferred securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against DTE Energy to enforce its rights under that guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the applicable DTE Energy Trust, the guarantee trustee or any other person or entity.

Termination

      A guarantee will terminate and be of no further force and effect upon full payment of the applicable redemption or repayment price of the related trust preferred securities, upon full payment of all amounts or delivery of all securities or other property due upon the dissolution and liquidation of the applicable DTE Energy Trust or upon the conversion or exchange of all of the related trust preferred securities. A guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of the related trust preferred securities must restore payment of any sums paid or other property distributed under those trust preferred securities or the related guarantee.

Information Concerning the Guarantee Trustee

      The Bank of New York will be the guarantee trustee under the guarantee.

      The guarantee trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of a default by DTE Energy in performance of a guarantee, will undertake to perform only the duties that are specifically set forth in that guarantee and, during the continuance of that default, must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to the foregoing, the guarantee trustee will not be under any obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by a guarantee at the request of any holder of the related trust preferred securities unless it is offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

Rights Upon Dissolution

      Unless the debt securities held by a DTE Energy Trust are distributed to holders of the related trust preferred securities, upon any voluntary or involuntary dissolution and liquidation of that DTE Energy Trust, after satisfaction of the liabilities of its creditors as required by applicable law, the holders of those trust preferred securities will be entitled to receive, out of assets held by that DTE Energy Trust, the liquidation distribution in cash. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or bankruptcy of DTE Energy, the property trustee, as holder of the debt securities, would be a creditor of DTE Energy.

       Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue to investors securities, other than our common stock, in the form of one or more book-entry certificates registered in the name of a depository or a nominee of a depository. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the depository will be DTC. We have been informed by DTC that its nominee will be Cede & Co. Accordingly, Cede

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      No person that acquires a beneficial interest in securities issued in book-entry form will be entitled to receive a certificate representing those debt securities, except as set forth in this prospectus or in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless and until definitive securities are issued under the limited circumstances described below, all references to actions by holders or beneficial owners of securities issued in book-entry form will refer to actions taken by DTC upon instructions from its participants, and all references to payments and notices to holders or beneficial owners will refer to payments and notices to DTC or Cede, as the registered holder of such securities.

      DTC has informed us that it is:

      DTC has also informed us that it was created to:

      Participants have accounts with DTC and include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations. Indirect access to the DTC system also is available to indirect participants such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly.

      Persons that are not participants or indirect participants but desire to buy, sell or otherwise transfer ownership of or interests in securities may do so only through participants and indirect participants. Under the book-entry system, beneficial owners may experience some delay in receiving payments, as payments will be forwarded by our agent to Cede, as nominee for DTC. DTC will forward these payments to its participants, which thereafter will forward them to indirect participants or beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not be recognized by the applicable registrar, transfer agent or trustee as registered holders of the securities entitled to the benefits of the certificate or the indenture. Beneficial owners that are not participants will be permitted to exercise their rights as an owner only indirectly through participants and, if applicable, indirect participants.

      Under the current rules and regulations affecting DTC, DTC will be required to make book-entry transfers of securities among participants and to receive and transmit payments to participants. Participants and indirect participants with which beneficial owners of securities have accounts are also required by these rules to make book-entry transfers and receive and transmit such payments on behalf of their respective account holders.

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      Because DTC can act only on behalf of participants, who in turn act only on behalf of other participants or indirect participants, and on behalf of certain banks, trust companies and other persons approved by it, the ability of a beneficial owner of securities issued in book-entry form to pledge those securities to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system may be limited due to the unavailability of physical certificates for the securities.

      DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a registered holder of any securities under the certificate, the indenture or any deposit agreement only at the direction of one or more participants to whose accounts with DTC the securities are credited.

      According to DTC, the information with respect to DTC has been provided to its participants and other members of the financial community for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a representation, warranty, or contract modification of any kind.

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, a book-entry security will be exchangeable for definitive securities registered in the names of the persons other than DTC or its nominee only if:

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for the book-entry security or DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act at a time when DTC is required to be so registered; or

      Any book-entry security that is exchangeable in accordance with the preceding sentence will be exchangeable for securities registered in such names as DTC directs.

      If one of the events described in the immediately preceding paragraph occurs, DTC is generally required to notify all participants of the availability through DTC of definitive securities. Upon surrender by DTC of the book-entry security representing the securities and delivery of instructions for re-registration, the trustee will reissue the securities as definitive securities. After reissuance of the securities, such persons will recognize the beneficial owners of such definitive securities as registered holders of securities.

      Except as described above:

      None of DTE Energy, the DTE Trusts, the trustees or any registrar and transfer agent, or any agent of any of them, will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of DTC’s or any participant’s records relating to, or for payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a book-entry security.

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       DTE Energy and the DTE Energy Trusts may sell the securities through agents, underwriters or dealers, or directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents.

      DTE Energy and the DTE Energy Trusts may designate agents who agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment or to sell securities on a continuing basis.

      If DTE Energy and/or a DTE Energy Trust use underwriters for a sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered if any of those securities are purchased. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and may be changed from time to time.

      Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions they receive from DTE Energy and/or a DTE Energy Trust and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. The applicable prospectus supplement will identify any underwriters, dealers or agents and will describe their compensation. DTE Energy and the DTE Energy Trusts may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their businesses.

Trading Markets and Listing of Securities

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than the common stock, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange. DTE Energy and the DTE Energy Trusts may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchange but are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Neither DTE Energy nor the DTE Energy Trusts can give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

Stabilization Activities

      Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is

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       The validity of the securities issued by DTE Energy will be passed upon for DTE Energy by Thomas A. Hughes, Associate General Counsel. In addition, other customary legal matters relating to the offering of the securities, including matters relating to our due incorporation, legal existence and authorized capitalization, will be passed upon for DTE Energy by Thomas A. Hughes, Associate General Counsel. Mr. Hughes owns approximately 1,000 shares of DTE Energy common stock and holds options to purchase an additional 30,750 shares. The validity of the securities issued by the DTE Energy Trusts and certain matters of Delaware law will be passed upon for the DTE Energy Trusts by Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., special Delaware counsel to the DTE Energy Trusts. Except as otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities will be passed upon for any underwriters, dealers or agents by Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, New York, New York. Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP will rely on the opinion of Mr. Hughes with respect to Michigan law.

       The financial statements and the related financial statement schedule of DTE Energy Company incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the DTE Energy Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

      With respect to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information of DTE Energy included in DTE Energy’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2001, June 30, 2001, and September 30, 2001 which are incorporated herein by reference, Deloitte & Touche LLP have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such information. However, as stated in their reports included in DTE Energy’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2001, June 30, 2001 and September 30, 2001 and incorporated by reference herein, they did not audit and they did not express an opinion on that interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their reports on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. Deloitte & Touche LLP are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their reports on the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information because those reports are not “reports” or a “part” of the registration statement prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Securities Act of 1933.

      The financial statements and the related financial statement schedule of MCN Energy Group Inc. incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the MCN Energy Group Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 have been

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      With respect to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information of MCN included in MCN’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 which is incorporated herein by reference, Deloitte & Touche LLP have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such information. However, as stated in their report included in MCN’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001 and incorporated by reference herein, they did not audit and they did not express an opinion on that interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their report on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. Deloitte & Touche LLP are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their report on the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial information because that report is not a “report” or a “part” of the registration statement prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Securities Act of 1933.

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       The following unaudited pro forma information reflects the historical combined condensed consolidated statements of income of DTE Energy and MCN after accounting for the merger as a purchase business combination. Accordingly, the following information should be read together with the historical consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto, of both DTE Energy and MCN, which are incorporated into this prospectus by reference. The unaudited pro forma combined condensed consolidated statements of income assume the merger became effective as of the beginning of the periods presented.

      The following unaudited pro forma information does not include a combined condensed consolidated balance sheet since the merger is reflected in DTE Energy’s consolidated financial statements on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001, filed on November 14, 2001, which are incorporated into this prospectus by reference.

      The information presented below is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that might have occurred had the merger actually closed as of the beginning of the periods presented. The information is not necessarily indicative of the future results of operations of DTE Energy after the merger.

      The unaudited pro forma combined condensed consolidated statements of income do not reflect the non-recurring costs and expenses associated with integrating the operations of the two companies, nor any of the anticipated recurring expense savings arising from the integration.

      The allocation of the purchase price included in the pro forma statements is preliminary and may be revised up to one year from the date of acquisition due to adjustments in the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and refinements of management’s plans to divest of certain assets acquired. Accordingly, the final value of the purchase price and its allocation may differ from the amounts shown in the unaudited pro forma combined condensed consolidated statements of income that follow.

      As of January 1, 2001, DTE Energy and MCN adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted.

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DTE Energy Company and MCN Energy Group Inc.

See “Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income” on page F-4.

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