Exhibit 5.1

August 22, 2006

DTE Energy 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 DTE Energy Company, a Michigan corporation (the "Company"),
and DTE Energy Trust III, a Delaware statutory trust (the"DTE Energy Trust"),
with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the purpose of registering under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), (i)(a) shares of
common stock, without par value (the "Common Stock"), of the Company, (b) debt
securities (the "Debt Securities") of the Company, which may be convertible into
shares of Common Stock or exchangeable into other securities, and (c) preferred
securities of the DTE Energy Trust (the "Preferred Securities") and (ii) the
guarantees (the "Guarantees") of the Company with respect to the Preferred
Securities.

The Debt Securities will be issued under an Amended and Restated Indenture dated
as of April 9, 2001, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time,
between the Company and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as successor trustee (the
"Indenture").

I, as Associate 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.



DTE Energy Company
August 22, 2006
Page 2


I note that the laws of the State of Delaware govern the issuance of the
Preferred Securities. Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. will opine upon any
matters relating to Delaware 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.

     2.   The issuance of shares of Common Stock has been duly authorized by all
          requisite action (corporate or otherwise) of the Company, and when
          such shares of Common Stock shall have been duly issued and delivered
          by the Company against payment of the consideration therefor and in
          accordance with such corporate action, such Common Stock will be
          validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

     3.   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 applicable supplemental indenture, supplementing the
          Indenture, pursuant to which the Debt Securities are to be issued
          shall have been duly executed and delivered, and (iii) the Debt
          Securities are authenticated by the applicable trustee in accordance
          with the Indenture 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).

     4.   The issuance of the Guarantees has been duly authorized by all
          requisite action (corporate or otherwise) of the Company, and when the
          Guarantees shall have been duly executed and delivered by the parties
          thereto, the Guarantees will be valid 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. Richards, Layton &
Finger, P.A. may rely on this opinion as to matters of Michigan law in rendering
its opinion on or about the date hereof in connection with the Registration
Statement.



DTE Energy Company
August 22, 2006
Page 3


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
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus of the Company and the DTE Energy Trust 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
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Thomas A. Hughes
Associate General Counsel

TAH/JXH