Information About COVID-19
MPSC COVID-19 Related News
MPSC COVID-19 Related News
- Vulnerable Michigan households protected from utility disruptions during COVID-19 pandemic
Vulnerable Michigan households have benefitted from steps taken by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), working with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, energy providers and other agencies to ease financial burdens from the coronavirus pandemic.
- State of Michigan launches online map of free Wi-Fi hotspots to help residents who lack access to broadband internet
The State of Michigan, in partnership with the Connected Nation Michigan, released a statewide Wi-Fi hotspot map to assist residents who currently lack internet access at home.
- Michigan issues additional funds for low-income customers to help them keep their energy services connected during COVID-19
Eligible state residents having trouble paying their energy bills during the COVID-19 pandemic are having payments made to their utility accounts by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to keep services connected. The payments, which equal more than $7 million for 17,937 households that have past-due accounts, will help energy customers keep services that may otherwise be disconnected once suspension of shutoffs during the pandemic ends in June.
- Regulated utilities extend protections, assistance for vulnerable households to June 12
Michigan’s regulated utilities have agreed to extend through mid-June the shutoff protections, flexible payment plans and other options they’ve offered to help customers struggling to pay utility bills because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
- Homeowners, businesses urged to call MISS DIG 811 in advance as construction and backyard projects resume
Gov. Whitmer signed an executive order allowing construction projects to resume May 7 after being put on hold as part of her Stay Home, Stay Safe efforts. Construction can resume provided that employers adopt best practices to protect their workers from infection. The Michigan Public Service Commission asks Michiganders — from homeowners doing backyard projects to businesses engaging in major construction — to not wait until the last minute to have underground utilities marked by MISS DIG 811.
- Michigan receives additional $35.1 million to help struggling households pay energy costs
The State of Michigan has been awarded more than $35 million in additional federal funding to help vulnerable households struggling to afford utility bills during the COVID-19 pandemic, as radio broadcasters across the state air public service announcements alerting Michiganders to the assistance available to those in need.
- MPSC Staff provides update on response to the COVID-19 emergency
At the May 8, 2020 Commission Meeting, MPSC Staff provided an update on it's response to the ongoing COVID-19 emergency. The update included an overview of the Commission's operations, provisions of critical services and customer protections, energy assistance and outreach, payment flexibility, and affordability. You can view the presentation here.
- Leaders urge Michiganders struggling financially to be proactive, seek help with utility bills as state, energy providers offer assistance
State officials urged Michiganders to be proactive if they’re struggling to pay their utility bills by reaching out to their energy providers and seeking financial assistance if they’ve lost a job or their income has dropped amid the coronavirus pandemic. Utilities across the state have agreed to pause service disconnections for low-income and senior customers through June 1, 2020, while many businesses are closed and residents are under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s extended Stay Home, Stay Safe order.
- MPSC Outlines Steps to Ensure Utility Protections, Assistance for Vulnerable Households Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
The Michigan Public Service Commission called on energy providers to undertake a number of steps to ensure customers have access to safe, reliable energy at reasonable rates during the coronavirus emergency (Case No. U-20757). The Commission also acknowledged the response by telecommunications providers to improve network access and protect customers during this crisis.
- MPSC urges homeowners and contractors to postpone nonessential excavation, make free call to 811 before digging
April is national Safe Digging Month, but this year the annual designation takes on added importance as Michigan and the nation deal with the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on daily life and emergency resources.
- 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.
Other COVID-19 Resources
MPSC Response to COVID-19
MPSC Response to COVID-19
The safety of our employees and the public we serve is of paramount importance to the Michigan Public Service Commission. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we take steps to mitigate issues related to the spread of COVID-19.
Moving the Lower Peninsula into phase 4 of the MI Safe Start reopening plan, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-114 on June 5. The order directs offices to "promote remote work to the fullest extent possible" and remain closed to all nonessential visitors. As a result, our staff will continue to work remotely and take the precautionary measures below until further notice:
- MPSC building closure: The Michigan Public Service Commission’s (MPSC) building in Lansing and remote satellite offices are closed. Daily operations will continue with employees teleworking. Please note that if you send information by mail or fax to the MPSC, a process is being followed to forward information to the appropriate individuals but there may be a delay in our response. You may also send us an email at mpsc_commissioners@michigan.gov.
- Customer assistance: Customers are encouraged to submit inquiries or complaints related to energy or telecommunications service at https://mpsc.force.com/complaints/complaintform. You may also contact us during normal business hours at 1-800-292-9555. Please have your account holder information ready (name, address, phone number, email address).
- E-dockets and Commission meetings: The MPSC can continue to accept and process filings through its electronic e-dockets system, and plans to hold future Commission meetings via teleconference with opportunities for the public to participate remotely through September 8 pursuant to Executive Order 2020-154. Commission meetings are livestreamed and archived online (YouTube.com/MichiganPublicServiceCommission). The public may also submit comments to Commissioners via email at mpsc_commissioners@michigan.gov.
- MI Power Grid and other meetings involving stakeholders: As the MPSC continues to evaluate regulatory and operational priorities amidst the COVID-19 emergency, upcoming stakeholder workshops or meetings may change. For specific updates, please sign up for e-mail distribution lists on topics of interest through our individual workgroup webpages, including MI Power Grid – michigan.gov/MIPowerGrid, or check the michigan.gov/MPSC website.
- Smaller meetings between Commissioners and/or Staff and external stakeholders: All in-person meetings scheduled with MPSC commissioners or staff have been or will be converted to teleconferences, or postponed to a later date. If you have not already been contacted regarding changes to an existing meeting, please reach out to the meeting organizer at the MPSC.
- Administrative hearings before Administrative Law Judges in pending MPSC cases: There are no in-person hearings, including pre-hearings, scheduled at this time. Members of the public planning to observe an upcoming hearing should call the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules at (517) 284-8130 or check the e-docket system on the MPSC's website. The Commission welcomes written comments in all cases. Parties who have filed appearances in ongoing cases will be contacted directly by the assigned ALJ regarding changes to any upcoming hearings.
- Critical infrastructure: The MPSC is supporting the safety and reliability of energy and telecommunications as well as vital customer protections during this crisis. The MPSC’s emergency response team continues to coordinate with the State Emergency Operations Center, commissioners, staff, energy and telecommunications providers, and stakeholders to identify, prioritize, troubleshoot, and escalate issues for resolution to ensure continuity of energy and telecommunications services.
Please take a moment to review the Interim Recommendations to Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19 (March 11, 2020). Information about this outbreak is changing rapidly. You can stay informed by regularly visiting Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
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