LANSING - State Representative Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores) on Tuesday voted for 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.
"All of our hard-working families deserve a warm home," Valentine said. "Heating your home should no longer be a matter of life and death."
The bipartisan 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 (PSC) to work with providers and service agencies to better assist seniors and low-income families who may struggle with payments.
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.
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 shut-off protections for low-income residents while promoting energy efficiency programs.
"It is our job as lawmakers to protect the health and well-being of our residents," Valentine said. "Tragedies like those that occurred this past winter were completely avoidable. This plan will go a long way in keeping our most vulnerable residents safe."