Affordability in Focus: An MPSC Community Workshop - Grand Rapids

Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, in MPSC Case No. U-20757, the Commission established its Low Income Energy Policy Board (LIEPB). Combining representatives from the Commission’s Low-income Energy Waste Reduction workgroup (LI-EWR) and Energy Affordability and Accessibility Collaborative (EAAC), along with policy experts from across state government, the LIEPB was charged with the goal of reducing the number of households with unsustainable energy burdens. 

Based on the work of the LIEPB, the LI-EWR, and the EAAC, Commission Staff released a comprehensive Energy Affordability Report in September 2025 with recommendations for improving energy assistance. Building on learnings from the implementation of various assistance and payment program options, the report identifies opportunities and recommendations to streamline Michigan’s energy assistance system.

On June 11, the Commission adopted several report recommendations, including opportunities for aligning utility energy assistance programs around the goal of achieving a maximum 6% energy burden for participating low-income customers. In response to the Commission’s order, additional work is being undertaken to update utility tariffs and Commission rules to effectuate this direction.

The Commission also recognizes that energy assistance is not the only facet of energy affordability. Utility costs and opportunities to reduce those costs ultimately play a significant role in the bills that customers pay.

This community workshop will focus on utility affordability including a discussion on the following issues:

1. What factors are driving utility costs and how do those impact utility bills?
2. Where are there barriers to accessing programs that can lower energy bills, like Utility EWR programs, weatherization assistance, and pre-weatherization programs?
3. How can participation in cost saving programs, like EWR programs, be increased?
4. Within the utility assistance space, what is working well and what needs to be improved?

This will not be a typical public comment hearing. Participants can expect a mix of presentations along with small and large group discussions on these issues. If you are interested in learning more about the issues that impact utility costs and shaping the discussion around how to improve programs that impact utility customers, you are encouraged to attend.