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PSC | The Utility Cliff — Energy Affordability

Michigan Business Network
June 16, 2020 4:00 PM

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Bright Ideas

The energy bill and utility shutoff moratorium issued by the Michigan Public Service Commission expired last Friday. The order, established mid-April, provided protections to Michigan households that were behind on their utility bills during the Stay Home, Stay Safe executive order. Now, after a brief respite from worrying about how to keep the lights on amid a public health crisis, more than a million utility customers have to come up with a way to pay their overdue energy bills to avoid a power shutoff.

Many of these low-income households have been hit the hardest by unemployment and financial uncertainty during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Though the unemployment rate — which recently topped 22% — is beginning to show a slight decline as work restrictions are lifted, people with past-due bills are going to have a hard time catching up. All of this has us asking some questions.

How many Michiganders are facing utility shutoffs?

How much do they owe?

What’s being done to help?

Answers to these questions and more can be found in this edition of Bright Ideas.
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Michigan Business Network is an online broadcasting company that provides knowledge, news, and insights into Michigan’s businesses, industries, and economy.