Low-Income Energy Policy Board

The Low-Income Energy Policy Board (LIEP Board) was formed after the Commission's directive to establish an advisory committee (Case No. U-20757 order) to guide and coordinate the work of the Energy Affordability and Accessibility Collaborative (EAAC) and Energy Waste Reduction Low-Income Workgroup (EWR-LI). It broadens participation of historically marginalized communities and coordinates efforts with the Governor's task forces to develop cohesive policies across state agencies. The LIEP Board functions to cross-pollinate policy and provide coordination, communication, decision making, and planning that is informed by the work of the EAAC and EWR-LI subcommittees.

The purpose of the LIEP Board is to guide the process of assessing energy affordability and accessibility holistically, especially through linking energy waste reduction services and energy assistance programs. It does this by focusing on three policy pillars including: Customer Centered Engagement & Coordination, Affordability & Customer Protections, and Low-Income Energy Waste Reduction With an overarching goal of reducing the number of households with unsustainable energy burdens, the LIEP Board has embraced the following values:

We value affordability and inclusion in policy actions that create measurable impact.
We achieve positive outcomes that impact home energy security, health, housing, and a healthy climate.
We build solutions through collaboration and diversity of representation, input, experience, and knowledge.
We act with respect, transparency, and integrity.

Board Members

Led by:

Armstrong, Anne – MPSC, EAAC leader
McNeally, Andrew – Energy Efficiency Program Administrator, Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO)

Centered on stakeholder leaders of the EWR Low-income Steering subcommittee and EAAC subcommittees:

Bunch, Rick – 5 Lakes Energy; Michigan Municipal Association for Utility Issues (MI-MAUI)
Blizman, Alexis – Ecology Center
DuBose, Briana – EcoWorks Detroit
Leahy, Patrick – SEMCO Energy Gas Company
Grieco, Kasey – Superior Watershed
Berkowitz, Mike – Elevate
Randall, Wende – Kent County Essential Needs Task Force (ENTF)

Inclusive of those with lived experience:

Gant-Jordan, Synia

Enhanced with policy leaders from agencies and task forces:

Carreon, Alessandra - Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Eubanks, Rachael A. – Department of Treasury
McLaughlin, Julie - Department of Health and Human Services
Rotondaro, Gustavo - Michigan 2-1-1
Sasy, Ninah – Department of Health and Human Services -Social Determinants of Health Strategy
Schoenow, Kris – Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity, Department of Health and Human Services
Slaughter, Derrell – National Resource Defense Council; Governor’s Council on Climate Solutions
Sorenson-Abbott, Sean - Department of Treasury
Spitz, Megan - Michigan State Housing Development Authority

Supported by Commission staff resource experts:

Banks, Brad - Energy Efficiency Specialist
Braunschweig, Elaina – Analyst, Regulated Energy Division
Brooks, Jennifer - Outreach Coordinator
Forist, Christina – Manager, Compliance and Investigation Section
Gould, Karen – Manager, Energy Waste Reduction
Holley - Voelker, Reka – Manager, Communications Section
Jones, Shatina – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
Rittenhouse, Amy – Communications Specialist
Thelen, Jake – Departmental Specialist, Compliance and Investigation Section
Wilkins, Mary – Departmental Specialist, Customer Assistance Division
Yeager, Elizabeth - Analyst, Energy Optimization Section

Meeting Dates

The Board has been meeting since April, 2022. Meetings will be conducted via teleconference unless otherwise stated. Please find remote access information for upcoming meetings on our calendar of events.

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Low-Income Energy Policy Board