February 24, 2006
February 24, 2006
Granholm Proclaims "Keep Michigan Warm Week" Throughout State
LANSING – In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today highlighted the critical steps her administration is taking to keep Michigan citizens warm this winter.
“From gasoline for your car to natural gas and heating oil for your home, we all know that costs for energy have been steadily rising – and the higher they go this winter, the harder my administration is working to make sure all our citizens can afford to stay warm,” Granholm said. “Our goal is to make sure that no Michigan household has to choose between heating and eating.”
Granholm declared February 19 through February 25 “Keep Michigan Warm Week” to help raise awareness about organizations across the state working to keep citizens safe this winter. She also encouraged residents to support “Walk for Warmth” fundraisers being held by Community Action Agencies across the state Saturday, February 25.
Additionally, the Governor has taken the following steps to combat high heating bills in Michigan:
Asked the Michigan Public Service Commission to make $25 million in additional home heating assistance available for citizens struggling to pay their energy bills. This week, the commission announced funding will go organizations across the state, including The Heat and Warmth Fund, the Salvation Army, and programs through the Michigan Department of Human Services;
Joined Michigan’s major utility providers and the state’s Community Action Agencies in announcing the “Save Energy with Ease” program. This program is currently assisting five thousand Michigan residents with free programmable thermostats, home energy conservation kits, and consumer education, and;
Led a bipartisan group of 28 governors in asking Congressional leaders to increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
“We know that it’s cold right now, and we want our citizens to stay safe and warm this winter,” Granholm said.
For more information on resources available to help with home heating bills, call the Michigan Public Service Commission at 1-800-292-9555 or visit www.michigan.gov/bewinterwise .
The Governor’s weekly radio address is released each Friday at 10:00 a.m. and may be heard on broadcast stations across that state through an affiliation with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. The address will also be available on the Governor’s Website on Mondays as a podcast for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers.
Broadcasters Note: Governor Granholm’s radio address can be accessed through Sunday evening exclusively through the Members Only page of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters website.
Publishers Note: The text of today’s address is attached.
