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Stock-Based Compensation
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract]  
Stock-Based Compensation STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
DTE Energy’s stock incentive program permits the grant of incentive stock options, non-qualifying stock options, stock awards, performance shares, and performance units to employees and members of its Board of Directors. As a result of a stock award, a settlement of an award of performance shares, or by exercise of a participant’s stock option, DTE Energy may deliver common stock from its authorized but unissued common stock and/or from outstanding common stock acquired by or on behalf of DTE Energy in the name of the participant. Key provisions of the stock incentive program are:
•Authorized limit is 16,500,000 shares of common stock;
•Prohibits the grant of a stock option with an exercise price that is less than the fair market value of DTE Energy’s stock on the date of the grant; and
•Imposes the following award limits to a single participant in a single calendar year, (1) options for more than 500,000 shares of common stock; (2) stock awards for more than 150,000 shares of common stock; (3) performance share awards for more than 300,000 shares of common stock (based on the maximum payout under the award); or (4) more than 1,000,000 performance units, which have a face amount of $1.00 each.
DTE Energy records compensation expense at fair value over the vesting period for all awards it grants.
The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation for DTE Energy:
202020192018
(In millions)
Stock-based compensation expense$63 $71 $64 
Tax benefit$12 $13 $13 
Stock-based compensation cost capitalized in Property, plant, and equipment(a)
$— $16 $11 
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(a)In DTE Electric's May 2020 rate order, the MPSC disallowed certain capital expenditures related to incentive compensation. Therefore, beginning in 2020, no stock-based compensation cost will be capitalized in Property, plant, and equipment. Refer to Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, "Regulatory Matters," for further information.
Restricted Stock Awards
Stock awards granted under the plan are restricted for varying periods, generally for three years. Participants have all rights of a shareholder with respect to a stock award, including the right to receive dividends and vote the shares. Prior to vesting in stock awards, the participant: (i) may not sell, transfer, pledge, exchange, or otherwise dispose of shares; (ii) shall not retain custody of the share certificates; and (iii) will deliver to DTE Energy a stock power with respect to each stock award upon request.
The stock awards are recorded at cost that approximates fair value on the date of grant. The cost is amortized to compensation expense over the vesting period.
The fair value of awards vested were not material for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. Compensation cost charged against income was $13 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, and $11 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Performance Share Awards
Performance shares awarded under the plan are for a specified number of shares of DTE Energy common stock that entitle the holder to receive a cash payment, shares of DTE Energy common stock, or a combination thereof. The final value of the award is determined by the achievement of certain performance objectives and market conditions. The awards vest at the end of a specified period, usually three years. Awards granted in 2020, 2019, and 2018 were primarily deemed to be equity awards. The DTE Energy stock price and number of probable shares attributable to market conditions for such equity awards are fair valued only at the grant date. DTE Energy accounts for performance share awards by accruing compensation expense over the vesting period based on: (i) the number of shares expected to be paid which is based on the probable achievement of performance objectives; and (ii) the closing stock price market value. The settlement of the award is based on the closing price at the settlement date.
DTE Energy recorded activity relating to performance share awards as follows:
202020192018
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Weighted average grant date fair value of awards granted (per share)$129.68 $115.85 $105.64 
Awards settled in cash(a)
$21 $19 $13 
Awards settled in stock(a)
$53 $79 $39 
Compensation expense$50 $60 $53 
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(a)Sum of awards settled in cash and stock approximates the intrinsic value of the awards.
During the vesting period, the recipient of a performance share award has no shareholder rights. During the period beginning on the date the performance shares are awarded and ending on the certification date of the performance objectives, the number of performance shares awarded will be increased, assuming full dividend reinvestment at the fair market value on the dividend payment date. The cumulative number of performance shares will be adjusted to determine the final payment based on the performance objectives achieved. Performance share awards are nontransferable and are subject to risk of forfeiture.
The following table summarizes DTE Energy’s performance share activity for the period ended December 31, 2020:
Performance SharesWeighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Balance at December 31, 20191,226,031 $107.35 
Grants383,813 $129.68 
Forfeitures(43,768)$116.94 
Payouts(438,639)$99.22 
Balance at December 31, 20201,127,437 $117.06 
Unrecognized Compensation Costs
As of December 31, 2020, DTE Energy's total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock incentive plan arrangements and the weighted average recognition period was as follows:
Unrecognized
Compensation
Cost		Weighted Average
to be Recognized
(In millions)(In years)
Stock awards$19 1.60
Performance shares49 1.04
$68 1.19
Allocated Stock-Based Compensation
DTE Electric received an allocation of costs from DTE Energy associated with stock-based compensation. DTE Electric's allocation for 2020, 2019, and 2018 for stock-based compensation expense was $37 million, $43 million, and $38 million, respectively.