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State leaders outline protections, assistance available for energy utility customers

The State of Michigan is working with utility companies to ensure protections are in place for customers as efforts to help slow the spread of the coronavirus impact families and businesses across the state.

 

Major utilities including the state’s two largest, DTE Energy and Consumers Energy, have enacted moratoriums on service disconnections, and are extending flexible payment plans, for low-income customers, seniors and those impacted by illness or job losses related to the pandemic. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Stay Home, Stay Safe executive order directs Michiganders to stay in their homes except for approved reasons such as critical infrastructure jobs or performing tasks necessary for health and safety, at least through April 13, 2020.

 

“Michiganders are tough, and we will get through this emergency by helping one another,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. “We are fortunate that utilities across Michigan have stepped up with proactive policies to assist those in need during this crisis.”

 

“During these unprecedented times with a variety of concerns, worrying about utility bills should not be one of them,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “As Chief Consumer Advocate for this state, I am heartened to hear Michigan utilities voluntarily stepping up to help their customers.”

 

Robert Gordon, Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said maintaining electric and heating service is critical in the battle to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. “Michiganders need to stay home, and many are dealing with lost income,” Gordon said. “We must do everything we can to keep people safe at home while we work to reduce the impact of the coronavirus, and we appreciate our partners at energy utilities throughout the state who are stepping up to pause service disconnections and provide flexibility to customers in need.”

 

Utilities, including those regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission as well as municipal and cooperative owned utilities, have instituted policies to help protect vulnerable customers during this crisis, ranging from suspended disconnections and assistance to reconnect service to payment assistance.

Funds also are available through partnering organizations to help eligible customers who are behind on their utility bills. In an effort to serve Michigan families struggling with energy costs related to COVID-19 as effectively as possible, the Department of Health and Human Services will take a number of actions to streamline the application process for its primary energy assistance program, State Emergency Relief.

“We encourage anyone who anticipates difficulty paying their energy bills not to wait, and to reach out to their utility company as soon as they can to work out payment options,” said Sally Talberg, Chairman of the Michigan Public Service Commission, which regulates investor-owned energy companies in Michigan. “Each utility may vary, but whether you a have medical or financial need, payment protections and assistance are available.”

 

Michiganders who use propane for home heating also are eligible for income-based assistance programs. Customers with heating costs that they are unable to pay should first contact their energy supplier and explain their situation before they run out of fuel.

 

Home energy assistance

 

  • Be Proactive - Contact your utility company as soon as you know you will be unable to pay your bill on time.
  • Call 2-1-1 or click on www.mi211.org to learn about agencies in your county that may assist with your energy bill.
  • State Emergency Relief (SER) may help low-income households pay part of their heating or electric bills, assist in keeping utilities in service, or have service restored. The program is available year-round. Call your local Department of Health and Human Services office for information or apply on MI Bridges. Households must apply for SER assistance prior to receiving any Michigan Energy Assistance Program services.
  • The Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) works with households to provide supplemental bill payment assistance and self-sufficiency services to low-income residents statewide. At the time of SER application, applicants will be able to choose a MEAP provider to work with. A list of organizations that deliver MEAP services can be found on the MPSC’s website. MEAP grantees are all community partners with MDHHS and can help applicants to navigate the MDHHS application process.
  • Connect with an MDHHS community partner to help work through the process of applying for assistance.
  • Home Heating Credit qualified persons may receive a credit to help pay winter heating bills. Apply for a Home Heating Credit if you are low-income or receive public assistance or unemployment compensation. Eligible customers must meet guidelines based on household income, exemptions and heating costs. You must apply by Sept. 30 each year. The application form (MI-1040CR-7) can be requested from the Michigan Department of Treasury at 517-636-4486, or visit website at www.michigan.gov/treasury.

 

Gov. Whitmer’s executive order also directed all Michigan businesses and operations to temporarily suspend in-person operations that are not necessary to sustain or protect life. For business customers, utility companies may be able to offer flexible payment terms or suggestions to manage utility bills under these extraordinary circumstances.

 

Safety tips

 

Under Gov. Whitmer’s stay-home order, utility workers are considered essential as they work to keep Michigan’s energy infrastructure safe and reliable. Their health is critical to maintaining energy service.

  • Please practice social distancing and do not approach workers if you see them outside. If a utility worker comes to your home on a service call, please maintain a minimum of six feet of distance from them.
  • If you experience a power outage or an emergency such as a wire down, contact your utility as you normally would.
  • New utility service hookups and construction of new utility service lines may be delayed as utilities prioritize work and protect employees and the public; contact your utility to see if your schedule may be impacted.

 

Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:?

  • Fever???
  • Cough???
  • Shortness of breath???

 

The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19, is to:???

  • If you think you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call the nearest hospital.???Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.?????
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.?????
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.?????
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick.?????
  • If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.????
  • Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in a public setting.??? 

 

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at www.Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and www.CDC.gov/Coronavirus. ?

 

Utility contact information

 

For specific information about bill assistance or flexible payment plans, contact your utility directly.

 

Investor-owned utilities

Alpena Power Co.                                             989-358-4900, www.alpenapower.com

Citizens Gas Fuel Co.                                        800-982-2831, www.citizensgasfuel.com

Consumers Energy Co.                                     800-477-5050, www.consumersenergy.com

DTE Energy Co.                                                800-477-4747, www.dteenergy.com

Indiana Michigan Power Co.                              800-672-2231, www.indianamichiganpower.com

Michigan Gas Utilities                                       800-401-6402, accel.michigangasutilities.com

Northern States Power Co. (Xcel)                      800-895-4999, www.xcelenergy.com

Semco Energy Gas Co.                                     800-624-2019, www.semcoenergygas.com

Superior Energy Co.                                          888-468-2828, www.secnaturalgas.com

Upper Michigan Energy Resources                    800-242-9137, www.uppermichiganenergy.com

for former WEPCO customers

800-450-7260

for former WPSC customers

Upper Peninsula Power Co.                               800-562-7680, www.uppco.com

 

Municipal utilities

Baraga                                     906-353-6237, www.villageofbaraga.com.

Bay City                                   989-894-8350, www.baycitymi.org

Charlevoix                                231-547-3273, www.cityofcharlevoix.org

Chelsea                                    734-475-1771, www.city-chelsea.org

Clinton                                      517-456-7494, www.villageofclinton.org

Coldwater                                 517-279-9531, www.coldwater.org

Croswell                                   810-679-2299, www.cityofcroswell.com

Crystal Falls                             906-875-3212, www.crystalfalls.org

Daggett                                    906-753-6931

Dowagiac                                 269-782-2195, www.cityofdowagiac.com

Eaton Rapids                            517-663-8118, www.cityofeatonrapids.com

Escanaba                                 906-786-0552, www.escanaba.org

Gladstone                                 906-428-3737, www.gladstonemi.org

Grand Haven                            616.846.6250, www.ghblp.org

Harbor Springs                         231-526-2122, www.cityofharborsprings.com

Hart                                          231-923-0012, www.cityofhart.org

Hillsdale                                   517-437-3387, www.cityofhillsdale.org/bpu

Holland                                     616-355-1500, www.hollandbpw.com

L’Anse                                      906-524-6116, www.villageoflanse.org

Lansing                                    517-702-6006, www.lbwl.com

Lowell                                       616-897-8402, www.lowell-light.org

Marquette                                 906-228-0311, www.mblp.org

Marshall                                   269-558-0329, www.cityofmarshall.com

Negaunee                                 906-475-7700, www.cityofnegaunee.com

Newberry                                  906-293-3433, www.villageofnewberry.com

Niles                                        269-683-4700, www.nilesmi.org

Norway                                     906-563-9961, www.norwaymi.gov

Paw Paw                                  269-657-3148, www.pawpaw.net

Petoskey                                  231-347-2500, www.petoskey.us

Portland                                    517-647-7531, www.portland-michigan.org

St. Louis                                   989-681-2137, www.stlouismi.com

Sebewaing                                989-883-2700, www.slandw.com

South Haven                             269-637-0700, www.south-haven.com

Stephenson                              906-753-6228, www.stephenson-mi.com

Sturgis                                     269-659-7287, www.sturgismi.gov

Traverse City                            231-922-4431, www.tclp.org

Union City                                517-741-8591, www.visitunioncity.com

Wakefield                                 906-229-5131, www.cityofwakefield.org

Wyandotte                                734-324-7100, www.wyandotte.net

Zeeland                                    616-772-6212, www.zeelandbpw.com

 

Rural electric co-operatives

Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Assoc.             906-428-4141, www.algerdelta.com

Bayfield Electric Cooperative                              800-278-0166, www.bayfieldelectric.com

Cherryland Electric Cooperative                         231-486-9200, www.cecelec.com

Cloverland Electric Cooperative                         906-635-6800, www.cloverland.com

Great Lakes Energy Cooperative                       888-485-2537, www.gtlakes.com

HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Co-op               800-562-8232, www.homeworks.org

Midwest Energy & Communications                   800-492-5989, www.teammidwest.com

Ontonagon County REA                                    906-884-4151, www.ontonagon.coop

Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op                     989-733-8515, www.pieg.com

Thumb Electric Cooperative                               989-658-8571, www.tecmi.coop

Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative                 231-775-5700, www.wpsci.com

 

 

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.