Bill Text: MI SB0556 | 2009-2010 | 95th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Public utilities; consumer services; report on the elimination of barriers to assisting customers eligible for energy assistance programs; require. Amends 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.1 - 460.11) by adding sec. 9k.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-05-07 - Referred To Committee On Energy Policy And Public Utilities [SB0556 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2009-SB0556-Introduced.html
SENATE BILL No. 556
May 7, 2009, Introduced by Senator ALLEN and referred to the Committee on Energy Policy and Public Utilities.
A bill to amend 1939 PA 3, entitled
"An act to provide for the regulation and control of public and
certain private utilities and other services affected with a public
interest within this state; to provide for alternative energy
suppliers; to provide for licensing; to include municipally owned
utilities and other providers of energy under certain provisions of
this act; to create a public service commission and to prescribe
and define its powers and duties; to abolish the Michigan public
utilities commission and to confer the powers and duties vested by
law on the public service commission; to provide for the
continuance, transfer, and completion of certain matters and
proceedings; to abolish automatic adjustment clauses; to prohibit
certain rate increases without notice and hearing; to qualify
residential energy conservation programs permitted under state law
for certain federal exemption; to create a fund; to provide for a
restructuring of the manner in which energy is provided in this
state; to encourage the utilization of resource recovery
facilities; to prohibit certain acts and practices of providers of
energy; to allow for the securitization of stranded costs; to
reduce rates; to provide for appeals; to provide appropriations; to
declare the effect and purpose of this act; to prescribe remedies
and penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,"
(MCL 460.1 to 460.11) by adding section 9k.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 9k. (1) No later than 2 years after the effective date of
the amendatory act that added this section and every 2 years after
that date, the commission shall file a report with the legislature
presenting recommendations on the elimination of barriers to
assisting senior customers who may be eligible for federal and
state energy assistance programs as well as recommendations to
changes in shut-off procedures.
(2) The commission shall work with the departments of human
services and community health, providers, and social services
agencies to identify barriers to assisting customers who may be
eligible for federal and state energy assistance programs.
(3) As used in this section, "provider" means an electric
utility, municipally owned natural gas or electric utility,
cooperative electric utility, alternative electric supplier, or an
investor-owned business engaged in the sale and distribution of
natural gas within this state whose rates are regulated by the
commission.
