Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 720	$ 639	$ 535
Benefit obligations:
Benefit obligation, net of taxes of $(5), $3 and $4	(9)	5	7
Amounts reclassified to benefit obligations related to consolidation of VIEs (Note 1), net of taxes of $-, $5 and $-	0	10	0
Total Benefit obligations	(9)	15	7
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives:
Gains during the period, net of taxes of $-, $1 and $2	0	1	3
Amounts reclassified to income, net of taxes of $-, $1 and $(1)	0	1	(2)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives	0	2	1
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
Gains (losses) during the period, net of taxes of $-, $(6) and $3	0	(10)	5
Amounts reclassified to income, net of taxes of $-, $- and $2	0	0	3
Amounts reclassified to benefit obligations related to consolidation of VIEs (Note 1), net of taxes of $-, $(5) and $-	0	(10)	0
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments	0	(20)	8
Foreign currency translation, net of taxes of $-, $- and $1	0	1	2
Comprehensive income	711	637	553
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	9	9	3
Comprehensive income attributable to DTE Energy Company	$ 702	$ 628	$ 550