DTE's New Gas Chief to Steer Multi-Billion Dollar Overhaul

DETROIT, MI – June 23, 2026 – DTE Energy has named Renee Tomina the new president and chief operating officer of its natural gas utility, DTE Gas, placing an experienced operational leader at the forefront of a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure overhaul. Effective June 29, Tomina steps into the role as her predecessor, Robert Richard, retires after a distinguished 40-year career. The transition comes at a pivotal moment for the utility, which serves 1.4 million Michigan customers, as it navigates a massive modernization effort against the complex backdrop of a statewide push toward a cleaner energy economy.

Tomina, a DTE veteran since 2010, will guide the company through its ambitious Gas Renewal Program (GRP), an initiative to update and replace more than 4,000 miles of natural gas pipelines. The appointment signals DTE's commitment to operational execution, leveraging Tomina's deep project management expertise to ensure the reliability and safety of its vast network while simultaneously addressing the strategic challenges posed by Michigan's evolving energy policy.

A Proven Operator for a Complex Challenge

Renee Tomina's career trajectory at DTE has prepared her for the immense scale of her new role. Most recently, she served as senior vice president of the Project Management Office, where she was responsible for the planning and execution of the largest projects within DTE's approximately $3 billion annual capital investment portfolio. This position gave her oversight of initiatives spanning power generation, including new renewable energy projects, and the very gas infrastructure upgrade program she will now lead.

Her experience is not just at the portfolio level. Before her SVP role, Tomina was vice president of DTE Gas, where she led the utility's core operations, including construction, distribution, and system planning. This ground-level familiarity with the natural gas business provides her with a critical understanding of the day-to-day realities of serving 1.4 million homes and businesses. Her career at the utility also includes leadership roles in Continuous Improvement, Customer Service, and Electric Operations, giving her a holistic view of the company.

"Renee is a proven leader with deep operational experience and a strong track record of delivering results for our customers, communities and company," said Joi Harris, president and chief executive officer of DTE Energy. "I'm excited to appoint her to lead DTE Gas as we continue investing in the reliable and increasingly cleaner energy infrastructure Michigan families and businesses depend on every day."

Tomina's background prior to DTE, as a manufacturing leader in the automotive industry, provides a foundation in the kind of operational discipline and large-scale systems thinking essential for utility management. This is further underscored by her academic credentials, which include a Master of Science in systems engineering from Oakland University. This blend of hands-on experience and strategic project oversight makes her uniquely qualified to steer one of the state's most significant ongoing infrastructure projects.

Navigating a Multi-Billion Dollar Modernization

The central task facing Tomina is the execution of DTE Gas's long-term Gas Renewal Program. Launched in 2011 and scheduled to run through 2035, the program is a monumental effort to enhance the safety and reliability of the state's energy grid. DTE is investing $3.3 billion through 2035 to replace aging cast iron and steel main lines with more durable and efficient polyethylene pipes at a rate of over 200 miles per year.

A key component of this modernization involves relocating natural gas meters from inside homes and businesses to the exterior. This move, mandated by state regulators for safety, allows for easier maintenance and reduces risks associated with indoor infrastructure. The project's significance was recently underscored when the U.S. Department of Energy finalized a $1.6 billion low-interest loan to DTE, supporting the modernization of approximately 800 miles of pipeline and a storage compressor station. The federal backing not only provides favorable financing but also signals national support for upgrading legacy energy systems.

For customers, these upgrades promise enhanced safety and are projected to deliver significant environmental benefits. DTE estimates that by 2035, the pipeline replacements will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 500,000 metric tons annually—equivalent to taking 100,000 cars off the road. In her own words, Tomina expressed her enthusiasm for the task ahead. "I'm honored to lead DTE Gas and the team that delivers safe, reliable natural gas service to customers across Michigan," she said. "This is an exciting opportunity to build on our strong foundation, continue modernizing our system... and help power a cleaner energy future for our state."

The Regulatory Crossroads and Michigan's Future

While Tomina's operational acumen is clear, her greatest challenge may be strategic. She takes command at a time when the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) is intensifying its scrutiny of natural gas utilities. The commission is tasked with balancing the need for safe, reliable energy with the state's aggressive clean energy goals, including achieving carbon neutrality.

In late 2024, the MPSC approved a rate increase for DTE Gas that was less than half of what the utility requested, signaling a tougher regulatory stance on spending. More significantly, the commission ordered DTE to file an updated gas delivery plan. This plan must explicitly detail how its capital investments align with Michigan's emissions reduction targets and require the utility to seriously evaluate "non-pipe alternatives"—such as energy efficiency and electrification—to meet future demand. This order places DTE's long-term gas strategy at a crossroads.

Tomina must therefore execute a massive fossil fuel infrastructure project while simultaneously proving to regulators that it fits within a broader decarbonization strategy. DTE has consistently positioned natural gas as a critical "bridge fuel" necessary for an orderly transition away from coal-fired power generation en route to its net-zero emissions goal by 2050. Tomina's leadership will be instrumental in articulating and defending this strategy, balancing the immediate need for safe infrastructure with the long-term vision of a cleaner energy grid.

A Legacy of Excellence and a New Chapter

Tomina succeeds Robert Richard, whose 23-year tenure at DTE capped a 40-year career in industrial operations. Richard's leadership extended across DTE's business, including IT, Customer Service, and Major Enterprise Projects. His background as a certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt institutionalized a focus on operational excellence and process improvement that laid the groundwork for the current modernization efforts.

"Bob's leadership has made a lasting impact on DTE, and I'm deeply grateful for all he has done for our company, our customers and our people," Harris stated, acknowledging his role as a mentor who built strong teams. "His legacy will continue to shape DTE for years to come."

Richard's retirement marks the transition from a leader who established a robust foundation of operational discipline to one who must now build upon it in an era of profound industry change. Renee Tomina's appointment represents both continuity and evolution—a continued commitment to operational excellence now fused with the urgent need to navigate the complex strategic landscape of the clean energy transition.