FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 26, 2020
Media Contact: Matt Helms 517-284-8300
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
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.
Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19, is to:
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 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.cherrylandelectric.coop |
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 |