Michigan Receives Additional $35.1 Million to Help Households Pay Energy Costs

Michigan Receives Additional $35.1 Million to Help Households Pay Energy Costs

by | May 19, 2020 | Uncategorized

Michigan Receives Additional $35.1 Million to Help Struggling Households Pay Energy Costs

Contact: Matt Helms 517-284-8300

The State of Michigan has been awarded more than $35 million in additional federal funding to help vulnerable households struggling to afford utility bills during the COVID-19 pandemic, as radio broadcasters across the state air public service announcements alerting Michiganders to the assistance available to those in need.

 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently announced it was releasing $900 million in supplemental funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for federal Fiscal Year 2020 from the CARES Act. Michigan’s share of the funding was $35,130,421.

 

The funding is in addition to the more than $162 million in regular LIHEAP funding provided to Michigan for this fiscal year. The additional funding will be used for crisis assistance to help struggling households pay part of their energy costs.

 

The LIHEAP funding increase comes as 84 radio stations across Michigan have agreed to air a public service announcement throughout May. Created by Consumers Energy and DTE Energy in consultation with the Michigan Public Service Commission, the ad lets Michiganders know that if they’re struggling, they can contact their energy providers for flexible payment plans and other assistance, and call 211 or go to www.mi211.org for help with energy bills and other needs. The PSA is available here.

 

The MPSC, Michigan Department of Health and Human Service (MDHHS) and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer have taken steps to ensure Michiganders impacted by layoffs or drops in income related to the pandemic can maintain energy service at their homes. Energy providers across the state have agreed to pause shutoffs for low-income and senior residential customers until the emergency is lifted and to provide flexible payment options. Customers in financial trouble during the pandemic can find additional information here.

 

MPSC Chairman Sally Talberg urged utility customers who are struggling to reach out right away to their energy providers to seek help.

 

“Utilities have special protections because of the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic, but customers need to reach out and apply for utility assistance while it’s available,” Talberg said. “We want to make sure that people who need help receive it during this crisis.”

Lewis Roubal, senior deputy director for opportunity at MDHHS, said the state has several options to help people who are struggling to pay utility bills.

 

“Many Michiganders are more vulnerable as a result of the impact that COVID-19 has had on the economy,” he said. “MDHHS is working hard during the pandemic to expand public assistance benefits and provide easier access to financial help for residents who are struggling to pay their bills. The additional LIHEAP funding allows us to help more people who need assistance.”

 

Anyone facing financial distress because of COVID-19 is urged to:

  • Contact your utility or propane supplier to ask what kind of protections, funding, flexible payment options, or energy saving tools and resources are available.
  • Call 211 or go to www.mi211.org for information about getting help paying your utility bill or how to contact agencies that may assist you with your energy bill.
  • Apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) directly through the MI Bridges program for bill payment assistance if you are in jeopardy of losing heat or electric services, have already had service shut off, or are in need of a deliverable fuel, or call 855-275-6424. You can also get assistance with the application process by calling 211 to be referred to a MEAP grantee that can help.
  • Apply for a Home Heating Credit. Visit the Michigan Department of Treasury’s website to see if you qualify. Even though this funding is distributed by the Department of Treasury, you do not need to file taxes or wait for a tax return to receive this credit, so apply now if you are eligible. For more information, read the MPSC’s Home Heating Credit consumer tip.

 

For information about the MPSC, visit www.Michigan.gov/MPSC, sign up for one of its listservs, or follow the Commission on Twitter.

 

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

$30 million Set Aside For Pandemic Impact

$30 million Set Aside For Pandemic Impact

by | May 19, 2020 | Uncategorized

MEDIA ADVISORY – Coulter: $30 million Set Aside For Pandemic Impact On Local Governments Small Business Stabilization Fund Grants $12 Million To 3,000 More Businesses

​Coulter: $30 million set aside for pandemic impact on local governments Small Business Stabilization Fund Grants $12 million to 3,000 more businesses

Who

David Coulter, Oakland County Executive
Ken Siver, Southfield Mayor Donna Squalls, Royal Oak Twp. Supervisor
What

​Oakland County Executive David Coulter is holding a news conference via Facebook Live and teleconference to announce Oakland County will set aside $30 million from their allocation of CARES Act funds for cities, villages, and townships impacted by COVID-19. He will also announce the second round of grants from the Small Business Stabilization Fund with $12 million provided to over 3,000 more Oakland County businesses, reeling from the economic effects of the pandemic.

Where

Oakland County Executive Office Facebook Page, @OakGov.EO
When

May 19, 2020, 1:30 PM
Additional Info

How to Participate: • Participating reporters please RSVP to Jaime Fenner at [email protected] by 12:30 p.m. to indicate your participation on the conference line so the County Executive will call on you.
Temp Checks And Mandatory Masks New Normal

Temp Checks And Mandatory Masks New Normal

by | May 19, 2020 | Uncategorized

Temp Checks And Mandatory Masks New Normal As COVID-19 Protocols Aim To Ensure Safety For Visitors And Workers As Oakland County Government Plans Phased Re-Opening

County Executive David Coulter said the health monitoring and facial covering requirements are among the more visible policies instituted in all county buildings to help ensure the safety of county employees and visitors to county buildings.

“We believe these policies and other steps we have taken will help keep visitors to our county buildings – and our employees – safe and healthy,” Coulter said. “Our team has worked very hard evaluating each building, its public spaces and offices, to determine how we can best serve the public and our employees while maintaining appropriate social distancing and other health protocols. The pandemic has changed our lives. This is the new normal for the foreseeable future.”

During the “Stay at Home” order county government services were provided online, through virtual appointments and with county employees equipped to telework. Starting on May 26, the county will begin a phased return to onsite services with new safety protocols in place.

A host of modifications have been made in lobbies, waiting areas, other public spaces and offices in county buildings to ensure social distancing, including placing markings on floors and plexiglass dividers. Signs posted at building entrances alert the public and employees to the new protocols.

The pandemic caused the county to limit in-person services and postpone others, closing off access to government buildings. Beginning May 26, most county departments will begin taking appointments. Oakland County Circuit Court and most other district courts will continue to do the bulk of their work using video conferencing.

The County Clerk and Register of Deeds will take appointments for such services as obtaining a marriage license or passport, as well as other services. It is best to contact the desired department for instructions.

The county’s Department of Human Resources has created a digital COVID-19 Safety Playbook that details roles and responsibilities for county employees, cleaning and disinfecting practices, building spaces where facial coverings must be worn and what personal protective equipment is required. The Playbook is available for download by cities, villages and townships to give them a framework as they prepare to reopen or expand services that were limited.

“This isn’t about ensuring you follow the rules; it’s about doing our best to protect our fellow employees and visitors, which also means we are protecting our families and those that are most vulnerable,” Coulter said in the Playbook. “As Oakland Together, we can come back safely and serve the community that we love.”

The documents may be found here at OakGov.com under Government Agencies toolkits.

I-75 single lane closure in Oakland County

by | May 19, 2020 | Uncategorized

I-75 single lane closure in Oakland County

Michigan DOT sent this bulletin at 05/19/2020 09:07 AM EDT

I-75:

In Oakland County, the right lane of northbound I-75 from Crooks Road to Coolidge Highway will be closed from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. today for guardrail repair. In addition, the Crooks Road/Corporate Drive entrance ramp to northbound I-75 will be closed during the same time frame.

Governor Signs Executive Order Expanding Worker Protections

Governor Signs Executive Order Expanding Worker Protections

by | May 18, 2020 | Uncategorized

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 18, 2020

Media Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Expanding Worker Protections as Michigan Reengages Sectors of the Economy

Governor also calls for the appointment of a new Director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety

 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-91 to ensure robust protections for Michigan workers as she continues to re-engage parts of the economy. This executive order requires all businesses to adhere to strict safety guidelines to protect their workers, their patrons, and their communities from infection. To foster compliance, the governor also signed Executive Directive 2020-6 to appoint a Director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO).

 

“The vast majority of Michigan businesses are doing their part to slow the spread of COVID-19, but we must do more to ensure Michiganders are safe at work,” said Governor Whitmer. “This executive order, and the Director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety, will help ensure employers take the needed measures to protect workers and customers from the spread of COVID-19. I will continue to work around the clock with LEO Director Donofrio and my partners in health care, business, and labor to ensure protections for every Michigan worker.”

 

“The Governor’s actions make sure that as we reengage our economy, workplaces are safe for employees and customers,” said Jeff Donofrio, Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. “The Director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety will help to coordinate safety guidelines across workplaces and ensure workers and employers know the latest ways to keep us safe.”

 

Under Executive Order 2020-91, businesses that resume in-person work must, among other things, develop a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan and make it available to employees and customers by June 1.

 

“We’re grateful to Gov. Whitmer for taking action today to save lives and hold down the spread of this awful virus,” said Ron Bieber, President of the Michigan AFL-CIO. “It’s not right to force people back to work without making sure they’re kept safe. Anyone returning to work should know they’ll be safe in their workplace, and our state should be acting to hold bad actors accountable. We’ll continue to work with the Michigan Economic Recovery Council and with all our affiliates to make sure that guidelines are clear and consistent to keep everyone safe at work, and that families aren’t in danger when folks return home.”

 

Businesses must also provide COVID-19 training to workers that covers, at a minimum, workplace infection-control practices, the proper use of PPE, steps workers must take to notify the business or operation of any symptoms of COVID-19 or a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, and how to report unsafe working conditions.

 

Under Executive Directive 2020-6, all state departments and agencies that are responsible for enforcing workplace health-and-safety standards must monitor workplaces for compliance with the rules adopted in Executive Order 2020-XX and, as necessary, take action to enforce the order and ensure compliance.

 

To view Executive Order 2020-91 and Executive Directive 2020-6, click the links below: