Legislation will prohibit utilities from turning off heat
LANSING - State Representative Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch) today threw his support behind an emergency energy plan to help residents cope with home heating costs that are expected to soar this winter. Sheltrown will be the primary sponsor of a portion of the plan and will co-sponsor the remaining legislative package of bills.
Key components of the package include banning utilities from shutting off heat to homes during winter months, providing payment assistance through emergency funds and offering incentives to help families make their homes more energy efficient.
"Winters in northern Michigan can be tough to weather for residents who live on fixed incomes," Sheltrown said. "Home heating costs are expected to skyrocket this winter, and many families will be struggling to keep up with their bills. This legislation will help ensure that no one will have to face the cold days ahead without heat in their home."
The legislation will:
-Ban utility companies from shutting off heat service from between Dec. 1, 2005, and March 31, 2006, to households earning 200 percent above the poverty level, or approximately $40,000 for a family of four;
-Provide additional funding for energy assistance funds;
-Give the Michigan Public Service Commission the power to shift $5 million from research into a fund to help people pay heating bills;
-Set up a database to coordinate volunteers willing to help with winterization efforts; and
-Give residents a tax deduction if they winterize their homes.
The MPSC announced this week that natural gas heating bills this coming winter will jump 46 percent or $59 a month on average. The average winter bill in 2005-06 is projected to be close to $200, the MPSC said in its report released Tuesday.