Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textuals)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) facility instance	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2009 facility
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of NOVs/FOVs currently being discussed with the EPA | instance	2
Synthetic Fuel
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of days after expiration of statutes of limitations	90 days
Maximum potential liability	$ 850,000,000
Emissions
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of days after expiration of statutes of limitations	90 days
Maximum potential liability	$ 270,000,000
Other Guarantees
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Maximum potential liability	56,000,000
Performance Surety Bonds
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Performance bonds outstanding	56,000,000
PADEP NOV
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Penalties accrued	189,000	$ 534,000
DTE Electric
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of power plants in violation | facility			5
Environmental capital expenditures through prior year end		$ 2,300,000,000
Estimated environmental capital expenditures in current year	$ 45,000,000
Number of permitted engineered coal ash storage facilities owned | facility	3
Time period to complete studies on cooling water intake structures impacts on fish - EPA ruling (in years)	7 years
Coal Combustion Residual Rule [Member] | DTE Electric
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated costs associated with building new facilities	$ 290,000,000