Bias Case Could Cost Utility $65 Million

Detroit Edison, a unit of DTE Energy Co., said it could spend up to $65 million to end three class-action lawsuits that claim the power company discriminated against workers based on race, age and national origin. Wayne County Judge Carol Youngblood will rule on the proposed settlement of the lawsuits, which targeted actions by Detroit Edison during departmental reorganizations between 1991 and 1995, the company said. A settlement agreement calls for an arbitrator to decide how much will be paid to current and former employees who can show they were hurt by the reorganization. The plan limits the overall amount to a range of $17.5 million to $65 million. DTE shares rose 13 cents to at $36.75 on the NYSE.