MPSC to hold public hearing workshops in Grand Rapids, Detroit to address affordability of energy services

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The Michigan Public Service Commission will hold public hearing workshops in Grand Rapids and Detroit to address energy affordability amid the Commission's efforts to reduce the number of households with unsustainable energy burdens.

The workshops are designed for those interested in learning more about the issues impacting utility costs and helping shape the discussion around how to improve programs that affect utility customers. Commissioners and MPSC Staff will be on hand for the workshops.

At the workshops, participants will hear presentations on the Commission's current affordability and assistance efforts and have the opportunity to share their views through small and large group discussions, enabling participants to provide meaningful feedback on the Commission's actions on affordability and help inform future strategies.

The Commission will hold a workshop on Aug. 11 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health, Room 102/104, at Grand Valley State University, 333 Michigan Street N.E. in Grand Rapids.

A second workshop will be held Sept. 3 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Detroit. Details about the exact location of the Detroit workshop will be announced later this month.

Top issues to be discussed include:

• Factors driving utility rates and how these factors impact utility bills.
• What barriers may prevent customers from accessing programs that can lower energy bills, including utility energy waste reduction (EWR) efforts, weatherization assistance and pre-weatherization programs and how to increase participation.
• Identification of community values, priorities, ideas, and concerns related to energy assistance and affordability.
• What is working well in Michigan's energy assistance space and what needs to be improved.

The MPSC serves as an expert, impartial regulator committed to consumer protection, fairness and transparency. For information about the MPSC, visit www.michigan.gov/mpsc, sign up for its monthly newsletter or other listservs. Follow the MPSC on Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.

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