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MI PSC Awards $65 Million for Low-Income Energy

On August 26, the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) approved $55 million in low-income energy assistance grants to seven organizations for the fiscal year beginning October 1. The same day it approved $10 million in low-income energy efficiency grants. 

The grants come from the Low Income and Energy Efficiency Fund (LIEE), which originates from surcharges paid by customers of Detroit Edison and Consumers Energy. The PSC periodically issues requests for proposals for the LIEE funds and since 2002 has awarded around $435 million to state agencies and nonprofits for low-income energy purposes. It was the second time the PSC has awarded LIEE funds this fiscal year;  it distributed $70 million for energy assistance and energy efficiency last November.

In the latest two rounds of funding, the majority of the money went to the following state agency and nonprofits: 

• Department of Human Services (the LIHEAP office) - $38 million for energy assistance for low-income households statewide, with $27.75 million of that to supplement the energy crisis portion of the State Emergency Relief program, and $10.25 million for an arrearage payment program. 
  
  
• The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), a statewide fuel fund - $6 million for energy assistance statewide.
  
  
• The Salvation Army - $5 for energy assistance statewide.
  
  
• The Michigan Community Action Agency Association - $2.6 million for energy assistance statewide.
  
  
• Newaygo County Community Services - $2.3 million to assist low income households within an 11-county region of  northwest lower Michigan by paying energy bills and preventing utility shut-offs.

On the energy efficiency side, of the $10 million, $8.5 million was awarded to the DHS for statewide distribution to low-income households for energy efficiency upgrades, with up to 20 percent of the grant available for energy education; $750,000 was awarded to United Way Community Services for Southeastern Michigan for  matching grants to non-profit facilities for energy efficiency upgrades, energy efficiency audits, and energy efficiency weatherization education; and $500,000 to Newaygo County Community Services for weatherization of low- income homes.

Source: PSC

Page Last Updated: January 27, 2010