Exhibit 99-9

                        CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT

I, Anthony F. Earley, Jr., Chairman, President, Chief Executive and Chief
Operating Officer of The Detroit Edison Company (the "Company"), certify,
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section
1350, that to the best of my knowledge and belief:

(1)    the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period
       ended March 31, 2003 (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements
       of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15
       U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

(2)    the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
       respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
       Company.

Dated: May 14, 2003                       /s/ ANTHONY F. EARLEY, JR.
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                             Anthony F. Earley, Jr.
                                     Chairman, President, Chief Executive and
                                          Chief Operating Officer of
                                          The Detroit Edison Company