November 1, 2012 -- The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) on October 29 approved Low-Income Energy Assistance Grants totaling $27.6 million and divided among nine nonprofit agencies across the state.
The money is from a state legislative appropriation earlier this year of $60 million, of which $32.2 million went to the state LIHEAP office for its crisis assistance component and the remainder to the MPSC to spend through competitive solicitations. The MPSC solicited proposals from non-profit and public organizations to provide energy assistance to low-income customers.
Grant recipients included the following organizations that will provide energy assistance to low-income customers confronted with shut-offs and maintain or develop preventative programs to reduce the number of customers experiencing shut-offs.
- The Heat and Warmth Fund — $8.3 million, including $6.3 million to provide energy assistance to low-income customers confronted with shut-off and maintain or develop preventative programs to reduce the number of customers experiencing energy shut-off in 53 counties, and $2 million to partner with DTE Energy and the Michigan Department of Human Services (the LIHEAP office) to implement a Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Plan pilot program
- The Salvation Army — $6.8 million for services statewide
- TrueNorth Community Services — $6 million for services in 34 counties throughout northern Michigan
- Michigan Community Action Agency Association — $3.5 million for services statewide
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul of the Archdiocese of Detroit — $1.5 million for services in 31 counties
- Downriver Community Conference — $1 million for services in Wayne and Monroe counties
Source: Michigan PSC
