The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today added an additional $1 million to the $55 million in Low-Income and Energy Efficiency Fund grants made in September last year to nine organizations.

"Michigan has seen an unprecedented increase in the number of households seeking help with heating bills," noted MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu.  "The Michigan Public Service Commission recognizes that an urgent need exists to make additional funding available to help the increasing number of low-income households that are struggling to pay heating bills."

Today's order amends the September order by providing an additional $1 million in funding divided among the nine organization previously awarded grants, as follows:

• Michigan Department of Human Services - $636,400, bringing its total to $35,636,400, to provide direct assistance with energy bills for low-income households statewide divided as follows: $26,186,400 to supplement the energy crisis portion of the State Emergency Relief program and $9,450,000 for the arrearage payment program for clients participating in the Winter Protection Plan or similar plan that offers shutoff protection during the heating season.
  
  
• Downriver Community Conference - $16,400, bringing its total to $916,400, to provide direct assistance with energy bills for low-income households in Wayne and Monroe counties.
  
  
• Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, Inc. - $2,700, bringing its total to $152,700, to provide direct assistance with heating bills and shut-off protection for low-income tribal families within Allegan, Calhoun, Chippewa, Emmet, Gogebic, Isabella, and Menominee counties.
  
  
• Lighthouse Emergency Services - $5,500, bringing its total to $305,500, to provide direct assistance with energy bills and shut‑off protection for low-income households in Oakland County.
  
  
• Michigan Community Action Agency Association - $75,500, bringing its total to $4,225,500, to provide direct energy assistance for low-income households statewide.
  
  
• Newaygo County Community Services - $54,500, bringing its total to $3,054,500, to provide energy assistance and shut-off protection to low-income households in Benzie, Lake, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Missaukee, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola and Wexford counties.
  
  
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul - $9,100, bringing its total to $509,100, to provide energy assistance to low-income residential customers in Lapeer, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Wayne counties.
  
  
• The Heat and Warmth Fund - $90,900, bringing its total to $5,090,900, to provide energy assistance to low‑income residential customers throughout the state; and
  
  
• The Salvation Army - $109,000, bringing its total to $6,109,000, to provide energy assistance to low‑income households statewide.

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

Case No. U-13129