October 24, 2006

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today issued an order approving $45 million in low-income energy assistance grants to 10 organizations.

"My fellow Commissioners and I are extremely pleased to announce these grants today," said MPSC Chairman J. Peter Lark. "The grants awarded today will make help available to the people who need it most just as winter temperatures take hold."

The Commission on Aug. 21 issued a request for proposals for low-income energy assistance grants. Based on its review, the MPSC awarded the following grants:

• City of Livonia Housing Commission - $18,000 for low-income direct energy assistance.
  
  
• Department of Human Services (DHS) - $31 million in total. $28 million for the State Emergency Relief and Energy Direct program to prevent threatened shutoff of energy services and $3 million for the Arrearage Payment program.
  
  
• Downriver Community Conference - $500,000 for energy assistance to low-income households in the Monroe and southern Wayne County areas.
  
  
• Lighthouse Emergency Services - $250,000 to assist clients in the City of Pontiac and Oakland County areas who are ineligible for assistance from the DHS or for whom such assistance is insufficient or would not be provided in time to avert an emergency.
  
  
• Michigan Community Action Agency Association - $2,332,000 for low-income direct energy assistance.
  
  
• Newaygo County - $1 million to assist clients in a ten-county area ineligible for the State Emergency Relief Program or for whom such assistance is insufficient or would not be available in time to avert an emergency.
  
  
• The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) - $4.8 million for the THAW Low-Income/Energy Efficiency program.
  
  
• Salvation Army - $4.8 million to serve households statewide ineligible for assistance from DHS or for whom such assistance is insufficient or not available.
  
  
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Detroit - $200,000 for low-income direct energy assistance.
  
  
• Capital Area Community Services - $100,000 for low-income direct energy assistance.

The grants are part of the Low‑Income Energy and 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