DTE Energy to receive $16 million to help customers pay bills

DETROIT, Oct. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) will receive $16 million to provide energy assistance program services to low-income households in its electric and natural gas service areas throughout Michigan.

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS), approved Michigan Energy Assistance Program Grants totaling $89.6 million to 14 organizations for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1.

"The money will go into our Low-Income Self-Sufficiency program and is expected to help thousands of customers this winter," said Amy Walt, Director of Revenue Management & Protection for DTE Energy.

The MPSC last month issued a request for proposals soliciting projects that will provide energy assistance programs to help low-income households meet home energy costs, with a focus on services that will enable participants to become or move toward becoming self-sufficient.

The grants will be funded by $50 million collected through a low-income energy assistance funding factor approved by the MPSC; and $40 million in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds provided by DHS.

Other organizations that DTE Energy partners with to serve low-income customers that will receive grants are Society of St. Vincent de Paul of the Archdiocese of Detroit, The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) and the Salvation Army.

Customers can go to www.dteenergy.com/lsp for more information.

SOURCE DTE Energy