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                              [COMPANY LETTERHEAD]


                                October 6, 1997



To Our Stockholders:

         We are pleased to inform you that DTE Energy Company has adopted a new
stockholder rights plan.

         This action was taken after long and careful study and was not taken
in response to any pending takeover or proposed change in control of the
Company.  The plan is intended to protect the Company and its stockholders from
potentially coercive takeover practices or takeover bids which are inconsistent
with the interests of the Company and its stockholders.  The plan is not
intended to deter unsolicited offers that would provide superior long-term
value to all of the Company's stockholders.  The adoption of a stockholder
rights plan has become common practice in major American companies and a well
accepted approach to ensuring that all stockholders receive a fair price and
are treated equally in the event of a takeover.

         To effect the plan, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of one
stockholder right for each outstanding share of the Company's common stock.
The distribution is being made to stockholders of record as of the close of
business today.

         Under the plan, the rights will initially trade together with the
Company's common stock and will not be exercisable.  In the absence of further
board action, the rights generally will become exercisable and allow the holder
to acquire the Company's common stock at a discounted price if a person or
group acquires 10 percent or more of the Company's common stock.  Rights held
by persons who exceed the applicable threshold will be void.  Under certain
circumstances, the rights will entitle the holder to buy shares in an acquiring
entity at a discounted price.

         The plan also includes an exchange option.  In general, after the
rights become exercisable, the Board of Directors may, at its option, effect an
exchange of part or all of the rights (other than rights that have become void)
for shares of the Company's common stock.  Under this option, the Company would
issue one share of common stock for each right, subject to adjustment in
certain circumstances.

         The Company's Board of Directors may, at its option, redeem all rights
for $.01 per right, generally at any time prior to the rights becoming
exercisable.  The rights will expire September 23, 2007, unless earlier
redeemed, exchanged or amended by the Board of Directors.





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         The issuance of the rights is not a taxable event, will not affect the
Company's reported financial condition or results of operations (including
earnings per share), should not interfere with the Company's operating,
financing or investing activities and will not change the way in which the
Company's common stock is currently traded.

         A summary of the stockholder rights plan (which explains the terms and
nature of the rights) is enclosed.  Stockholders are urged to review the
summary carefully and retain it with their permanent records.

         In adopting the stockholder rights plan, the Board has expressed its
confidence in the Company's future and its determination that you, our
stockholders, be given every opportunity to participate fully in that future.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,



John E. Lobbia
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer




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