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                                                                  EXHIBIT 5.1(b)

                  [SIDLEY AUSTIN BROWN & WOOD LLP LETTERHEAD]

                                 June 18, 2001


The Detroit Edison Company
2000 2nd Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48226

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as special counsel as to the laws of the State of New
York in connection with the filing by The Detroit Edison Company, a Michigan
corporation (the "Company"), of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the
"Registration Statement") relating to $750,000,000 aggregate initial public
offering price of its debt securities. Certain of the debt securities (the "Debt
Securities") are to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of June 30, 1993, as
amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, between the Company and
Bank One Trust Company, National Association, as successor trustee (the
"Indenture").

         We have examined such documents and records and made such investigation
as we deemed appropriate or necessary, including examining the Registration
Statement and the Indenture.

         Based upon the foregoing, subject to the limitations set forth herein
and having regard for such legal considerations as we deem relevant, we are of
the opinion that when the Debt Securities have been duly executed and
authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and, if applicable,
a supplemental indenture thereto, and issued and sold as contemplated in the
Registration Statement, the Debt Securities will constitute legal, valid and
binding obligations of the Company subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and similar laws of general
application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights, and
(ii) the effect of general principles of equity, including without limitation,
concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and the
possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief, whether
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

         This opinion is confined to and is given on the basis of the laws of
the State of New York as they exist on the date hereof. In giving this opinion,
we have, with your permission, relied as to matters of Michigan law upon the
opinion of Thomas A. Hughes, Vice President and General Counsel of the Company.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are
within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.



                                            Very truly yours,


                                            /s/ SIDLEY AUSTIN BROWN & WOOD LLP