Consumers Energy on Tuesday announced it will put $12-million towards assisting families and small businesses struggling to pay energy bills during the pandemic.
In a press call, the company announced in addition to suspending energy shut-offs for nonpayment it will make a significant investment in helping customers struggling to afford their energy bills.
Brain Rich is the Senior Vice President at Consumers Energy.
“We’re looking for customers who have been uniquely qualified - customers who may not have had arrears issues prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, customers who have been trying to make some kind of minimum payment, are the customers we are most eager to try and help,” he said.
Rich said some 40,000 customers have either an unpaid energy bill or have paid only partial bills through the pandemic.
“We’ve worked very collaboratively with the Michigan Public Service Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services to focus our efforts on getting customers the assistance they need, and to have them call 2-1-1 and try and take action before they build up arrears that are just too large.”
Rich said in the last month shutoffs have restarted for small businesses.
The utility is also expanding eligibility for its care program to 400% of the federal poverty line.
Consumers Energy is a financial supporter of WCMU.