The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today issued an order approving $55 million in low-income energy assistance grants to seven organizations for the fiscal year beginning October 1.

"My fellow Commissioners and I are extremely pleased to announce these grants," said MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu.  "With heating costs on the rise, the grants awarded today will provide much-needed assistance for low-income customers with their energy bills as we enter the heating months."

The Commission on April 10 issued a request for proposals for low-income energy assistance grants.  Based on its review, the MPSC awarded the following grants :

     ·           Department of Human Services - $38,000,000 in total to provide direct assistance with energy bills for low-income households statewide, with $27,750,000 going to supplement the energy crisis portion of the State Emergency Relief program, and $10,250,000 going for the arrearage payment program. 

     ·           Down River Community Conference - $600,000 to provide energy assistance for low‑income households in Monroe and southern Wayne counties.

     ·           Michigan Community Action Agency Association - $2,600,000 to provide direct energy assistance for low-income residents statewide.

     ·           Newaygo County Community Services - $2,300,000 to assist low‑income households within an 11 county region of rural northwest, lower Michigan by paying energy bills and preventing utility shut-offs.

     ·           The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) - $6,000,000 to provide direct energy assistance for low‑income residential customers throughout the state.

     ·           The Salvation Army - $5,000,000 to provide direct energy assistance for low-income residential customers throughout the state.

     ·           Society of Saint Vincent de Paul - $500,000 to provide direct energy assistance for low-income residential customers in Southeast Michigan.

The grants are part of the Low‑Income and Energy Efficiency Fund, which provides energy bill assistance for low‑income customers and promotes the efficient use of energy by all customer classes.

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Labor & Economic Growth.

Case No. U-13129