LANSING - State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) on Tuesday voted in favor of a package of bills that will protect Michigan residents by reforming the way Michigan utilities handle utility shutoffs. The plan now moves to the Senate.
"Michigan winters are too harsh to leave people without heat or electricity," said Brown, a sponsor of the plan. "This plan protects our residents and builds in precautions to protect lives when temperatures drop and heating bills rise. In these tough economic times, this plan lets our Michigan residents know they come first."
The bipartisan, bicameral plan:
- Bans winter utility shutoffs for seniors and low-income individuals who have sought assistance paying their bills.
- Bans the use of electric limiters for senior citizens and for those with a known medical emergency.
- Adds an additional layer of protections for seniors by requiring utilities to contact those seniors who have had their power shut off to let them know what they need to do to have their service restored.
- Requires the Public Service Commission to work with providers and service agencies to better assist seniors and low-income families who may struggle with payments.
Under the terms of the plan, strict penalties will be placed on utilities that improperly shut off electric service to customers. Any fines collected from a violation could go toward the Low Income & Efficiency Fund, which provides shutoff protections for low-income residents while promoting energy efficiency programs.
Utility shutoffs were the cause of a number of tragedies throughout the state this year, as Michigan again struggled through a harsh winter. In Bay City, 93-year-old Marvin Schur froze to death in his home after Bay City Electric Light and Power placed a limiter on his electric use, which cut off electricity to his home after he exceeded the electrical usage allowed by the device. It is unclear whether
the utility provider informed Schur how to use the limiting device. In Fruitport Township, two children
perished in a fire after the gas company shut off service. The home caught fire after the family used a portable kerosene heater in order to stay warm.
"No one in Michigan should be faced with a life or death situation just because they're struggling to pay their bills," Brown said. "This plan will protect our most vulnerable residents. No longer will our at-risk residents be left out in the cold, fearing for their lives because their utilities have been shut off."
Brown reminded residents that the Michigan Public Service Commission has extended shut-off protections for low-income, disabled and unemployed utility customers through April 30. Those customers should contact their local utility to enroll in the shutoff prevention program.