Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenue	$ 2,249	$ 2,431
Net Income Attributable to DTE Energy Company	156	176
Electric Utility [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenue	1,198	1,193
Net Income Attributable to DTE Energy Company	96	85
Gas Utility [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenue	509	689
Net Income Attributable to DTE Energy Company	52	83
Gas Storage and Pipelines [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenue	25	25
Net Income Attributable to DTE Energy Company	17	15
Unconventional Gas Production [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenue	10	8
Net Income Attributable to DTE Energy Company	(1)	(2)
Power and Industrial Projects [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenue	449	235
Net Income Attributable to DTE Energy Company	8	10
Energy Trading [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenue	261	322
Net Income Attributable to DTE Energy Company	(2)	2
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenue	1	1
Net Income Attributable to DTE Energy Company	(14)	(17)
Corporate Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Revenue	$ (204)	$ (42)