Exhibit 5.3

August 22, 2006

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

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration
Statement") filed by The Detroit Edison Company, a Michigan corporation (the
"Company"), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") for
the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), debt securities (the "Debt Securities") of the Company.

The Debt Securities will be issued under (i) a Collateral Trust Indenture, dated
as of June 30, 1993, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time,
between the Company and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, as
successor trustee (the "Indenture"), or (ii) a Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated
October 1, 1924, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time between
the Company and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, as successor
trustee (the "Mortgage").

I, as Vice President and General Counsel of the Company, in conjunction with the
members of the Legal Department of the Company, have examined such certificates,
instruments and documents (collectively, the "Documents") and reviewed such
questions of law as I have considered necessary or appropriate for the purposes
of this opinion. In rendering this opinion, I have assumed without independent
verification that (i) all signatures are genuine, (ii) all Documents submitted
to me as originals are authentic, (iii) all Documents submitted to me as copies
conform to the originals of such Documents, and (iv) all Documents were duly
authorized, executed and delivered by all parties and are valid, binding and
enforceable (other than the authorization, execution and delivery of Documents
by the Company and the validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof upon
the Company). My review has been limited to examining the Documents and
applicable law.

Based on the foregoing examination and review, it is my opinion that:

     1.   The Company is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
          standing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Michigan.



The Detroit Edison Company
August 22, 2006
Page 2


     2.   The issuance of Debt Securities has been duly authorized by all
          requisite action (corporate or otherwise) of the Company, and when (i)
          the Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities
          Act, (ii) the issuance and sale of the Debt Securities has been
          authorized by order of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or the
          Michigan Public Service Commission, (iii) the applicable supplemental
          indenture, supplementing the Indenture and/or Mortgage, pursuant to
          which the Debt Securities are to be issued shall have been duly
          executed and delivered and (iv) the Debt Securities are authenticated
          by the applicable trustee in accordance with the Indenture and/or the
          Mortgage and delivered against payment therefor, the Debt Securities
          will be validly issued and binding obligations of the Company (except
          to the extent enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
          insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization or other laws of
          general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and
          general equity principles, regardless of whether enforceability is
          considered in a proceeding at law or equity).

I am licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan.

I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement and to the reference to me under the caption in
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus of the Company which is a part of the
Registration Statement. In giving this consent, I do not admit that I am within
the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities
Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Commission. I do
not undertake to advise you of any changes in the opinions expressed herein from
matters that might hereafter arise or be brought to my attention.

Very truly yours,


/s/ Thomas A. Hughes
- -------------------------------------
Thomas A. Hughes
Vice President and General Counsel

TAH/JXH