The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today approved a year-round shutoff protection program (SPP) for customers of Consumers Energy Company.  The SPP is being offered in addition to the Winter Protection Plan (WPP), which is mandated by Michigan law.

"More customers now have more choices available to them to avoid utility shutoffs," said MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu.  "That is good news for customers who may be struggling to pay utility bills.  Interested customers should contact Consumers Energy to get more details about enrolling in the program."

The program approved today features the following benefits:

• Participants in the SPP will have a longer time period (18 months) over which arrearages may be paid to give additional flexibility to low-income customers.
  
  
• Eligibility for the SPP included household income levels up to 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, which exceeds the otherwise applicable eligibility of 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
  
  
• Participation in the SPP is for a maximum period of 18 months, which exceeds the otherwise applicable participation of 12 months set forth in the WPP.
  
  
• Under the SPP, a residential customer could re-enroll under some circumstances even if the customer previously has been removed from the SPP due to default, which exceeds the eligibility requirements of the WPP.

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

Case No. U-15723