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MI PSC Awards $70 Million for Energy Assistance and Efficiency

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) on November 8 awarded $70 million in energy assistance and energy efficiency grants to a number of Michigan organizations to help low-income customers this winter heating season.

A total of $50 million went for energy assistance, including $30.9 million to the Department of Human Services (DHS), the LIHEAP office, of which $25.9 million will be spent under the crisis program to prevent shut-offs of energy services, and for deliverable fuel fills and furnace repairs.  The remaining $5 million is for an arrearage payment program that covers 50 percent of  participant arrears, up to $2000, with energy providers paying the other 50 percent. Households enrolled under Michigan’s Winter Protection Plan are targeted for the program.

Other recipients were:

The Heat and Warmth Fund, a statewide fuel fund, $6 million; the Salvation Army, $6 million to serve households statewide that are ineligible for assistance from DHS or for whom such assistance is insufficient or not available; Michigan Community Action Agency Association (MCAAA), $5 million for low-income direct energy assistance; Newaygo County Community Services,  $1 million to assist clients in a 10-county area that are ineligible for the state’s crisis assistance program, or for whom such assistance is insufficient or would not be available in time to avert an emergency.

On the energy efficiency side, recipients included:

DHS,  $13.9 million for statewide distribution to low-income households for energy efficiency upgrades, with up to 20 percent available for energy education; the MCAAA, $2 million in total for statewide distribution to provide weatherization upgrades for low-income households, with up to 20 percent for client weatherization education; Nova Development Group of Detroit, $1.4 million  for energy efficiency upgrades and installations for low-income multi-family dwellings throughout Michigan; Newaygo County Community Services, $600,000 for weatherization of low-income homes in the mid-Michigan area; Michigan GREEN, $500,000 for purchase and distribution of energy saving kits to low-income multi-unit facilities throughout Michigan; and United Way Community Services for Southeastern Michigan, $500,000 for matching grants to non-profit facilities for energy efficiency upgrades, energy efficiency audits, and energy efficiency weatherization education.

The Commission had approved the awards earlier, but their release had been held up until the state legislature finalized the state budget in late October. 

Source: Michigan PSC

Page Last Updated: January 27, 2010