Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Securitization bonds	$ 302	$ 479
Long-term Debt	7,813	7,682
Less amount due within one year	(634)	(355)
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	6,220	6,405
Long-term Transition Bond	302	479
DTE Energy Unsecured Debt 5.4% due in 2013 to 2033 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	5.40%
DTE Energy Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	1,298	1,298
DTE Electric Taxable Debt Principally Secured 5.0% due in 2013 to 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	5.00%
DTE Electric Tax-Exempt Revenue Bonds 5.3% due in 2014 to 2038 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	5.30%
Tax Exempt Revenue Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	707	893
DTE Gas Taxable Debt Principally Secured 5.6% due in 2013 to 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	5.60%
Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	153	165
Total [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	6,854	6,760
Junior Subordinated Notes	480	280
Securitization Bonds 6.6% due in 2013 to 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	6.60%
Securitization Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Securitization bonds	479	643
Junior Subordinated Debentures 6.5% due in 2061 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	6.50%
Junior Subordinated Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Junior Subordinated Debentures	280	280
Junior Subordinated Debentures 5.25% due 2062 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End	5.25%
Subordinated Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Junior Subordinated Debentures	200	0
DTE Electric [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	3,777	3,515
DTE Gas [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	919	889
Securitization Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Less amount due within one year	$ (177)	$ (164)

Junior Subordinated Debentures

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the sum of short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations, which are due within one year (or one business cycle if longer).

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The effective interest rate at the end of the reporting period.

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Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of long-term debt (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer) identified as Junior Subordinated Notes, which have a lower priority than senior instruments.

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Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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Long-Term transition bonds are bonds under the Competition Act in which the proceeds of Transition Bonds are required to be used principally to reduce qualified stranded costs and the related capitalization of the utility. This represents the noncurrent portion.

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