August 22, 2014 - The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS), approved Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) grants totaling $89,500,000 to 13 organizations for the fiscal year beginning October 1.
The Commission on July 1 issued a request for proposals soliciting projects that will provide energy assistance programs to help low-income households meet home energy costs, with a focus on services that will enable participants to become or move toward becoming self sufficient. Based on its review, the MPSC approved the following grants
- Barry County United Way – $165,100 to provide energy assistance program services to low income households in Barry County.
- Consumers Energy Company – $13,177,000 to provide energy assistance program services to low income households in its utility service territory throughout the state of Michigan.
- DHS – Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity – $7 million to provide energy assistance program services to low‑income households statewide.
- DTE Energy – $17 million to provide energy assistance program services to low-income households in its utility service territory throughout the state of Michigan.
- Flat River Outreach Ministries, Inc. – $57,900 to provide energy assistance program services to low income households in the Lowell School District.
- Lighthouse Emergency Services – $350,000 to provide energy assistance program services to low income households in Oakland County.
- Michigan Community Action Agency Association – $9 million to provide energy assistance program services to low income households statewide.
- SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company – $2,250,000 to provide energy assistance program services to low-income households in its utility service territory throughout the state of Michigan.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul of the Archdiocese of Detroit – $3 million to provide energy assistance program services to low-income households in 39 counties throughout the state of Michigan.
- Superior Watershed Partnership – $1,250,000 to provide energy assistance program services to low income households throughout the 15 counties in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
- The Heat and Warmth Fund – $10 million to provide energy assistance program services to low income households in 68 counties throughout the state of Michigan.
- The Salvation Army – $13,125,000 to provide energy assistance program services to low income households statewide.
- TrueNorth Community Services – $13,125,000 to provide energy assistance program services to low income households in 63 counties throughout the state of Michigan.
The grants will be funded by $50 million collected through a low income energy assistance funding factor approved by the MPSC; and $40 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds provided by DHS.
A majority of these funds will be expended by the above organizations during the “crisis season” that begins November 1 and ends May 31. Low-income households are encouraged to seek assistance during that time.
Beginning October 1, households can call 2-1-1or visit mi211.org for information regarding eligibility requirements and referrals to agencies that can provide MEAP energy assistance services.
The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
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