January 17, 2006
January 17, 2006
Governor reiterates call for additional state assistance, federal funding
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has joined with Michigan’s major utility providers and the Michigan Community Action Agency Association to launch the “Save Energy with Ease” program to provide thousands of free programmable thermostats, home energy conservation kits, and consumer education to Michigan residents. The announcement comes less than a week after Granholm asked the MPSC to make an additional $25 million available immediately for low-income energy assistance.
“With natural gas prices at record highs this winter, we know that many Michigan residents are having great difficulty paying their bills,” Granholm said. “Last fall, I signed the MPSC’s emergency rules to help more people avoid shut-offs, and last week, I called for an additional $25 million in grants to help low-income customers this heating season. This program is another way to help Michigan residents lower their energy bills.”
In addition to taking action at the state level, Granholm reiterated her call to Congress to encourage increased funding for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Last September, the Governor led a bipartisan group of 28 governors who sent a letter to Congressional leaders asking them to take action.
Funded by DTE Energy, Consumers Energy Company, Indiana Michigan Power Company, and SEMCO Energy Gas Company, “Save Energy with Ease” will benefit Michigan residents of all income levels. Fifteen-hundred low-income residents already receiving weatherization services through the Michigan Department of Human Services will receive a free programmable thermostat installed by a weatherization expert. In addition, 3,450 Michigan residents will have the opportunity to attend a two-hour home energy conservation workshop and receive a free home energy conservation kit.
“With today’s high energy costs, it is important that Michigan residents do everything they can to conserve energy and lower their bills,” added MPSC Chairman J. Peter Lark. “‘The Save Energy with Ease’ program will help thousands of Michigan utility customers easily become more energy efficient, saving them money now and well into the future.”
Programmable thermostats automatically dial down the thermostat at night and when no one is home. For every degree dialed down, customers can save 3 percent on their natural gas bills.
The home energy conservation kits available to workshop participants contain numerous items to help make a home more energy efficient, including a caulk gun and clear caulk, three compact fluorescent light bulbs, a plastic window insulation kit for up to five windows, foam inserts for eight electrical outlets and four switches, spray foam, a bathroom faucet aerator, a kitchen faucet aerator, a hot water temperature testing card, door weather-stripping (two17-foot rolls), a refrigerator coil cleaning brush, and a programmable thermostat.
The workshops, to be held in February and March, will be administered by local area Community Action Agencies and are available to any Michigan resident (one per household) until registration is full. People should contact their local community action agency to register. A list of community action agencies is available on the MPSC’s Website: michigan.gov/mpsc . Citizens may also call the MPSC’s toll-free phone number (1-800-292-9555) for information on how to contact their local community action agency.
In addition to the utilities mentioned above, the Michigan Public Service Commission, Michigan Department of Human Services, Michigan Electric and Gas Association, Michigan Community Action Agency Association and local community action agencies are working together to plan and administer the program.
Chairman Lark also noted that more information on how to lower energy bills and a list of programs available to help low-income people is available on the Be WinterWise Website at michigan.gov/bewinterwise .
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