February 14, 2022
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and (iii) the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. In delivering the opinions expressed below, we have relied without independent verification, as to factual matters, on certifications and other written or oral statements of governmental and other public officials and of officers and representatives of the Company, DTE, the underwriters of the Bonds and the Indenture Trustee.
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications and limitations hereinafter set forth, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company is a limited liability company validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware;
2. The Company has limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver the Indenture, to authorize and issue the Bonds and to perform its obligations under the Indenture and the Bonds; and
3. The Bonds will be validly issued and binding obligations of the Company when (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including any post-effective amendments), shall have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) the member or managers of the Company have taken all necessary limited liability company action to approve the issuance and establish the terms of the Bonds, the terms of the offering of the Bonds and related matters; (iii) the Indenture (including any necessary supplemental indentures) shall have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Indenture Trustee; and (iv) the Bonds shall have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and shall have been duly delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor.
Our opinion is subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), including concepts of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief.
We express no opinion herein as to the law of any jurisdiction other than the law of the State of New York and the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware.
We hereby consent to (i) the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to all references to us included in or made a part of the Registration Statement and (ii) the posting of a copy of this opinion letter to an internet website required under Rule 17g-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and maintained by DTE for the purpose of complying with such rule. In giving the foregoing consent, we do not hereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required
