In this guide
- avoid power shutoffs
- get help lowering your bills
- learn about why our bills are so high
- find ways to get involved
Stay in Power.
At risk of a shutoff?
Check out this “Know Your Rights Guide” for tips to keep your power on!
lower your energy bills:
Shutoff Prevention Help
Bill Payment Assistance Programs
- State Emergency Relief Program (SER)
- Up to $850 for electric and up to $850 for gas utility bills. Available to low-income households. You can apply multiple times via MIBridges.
- Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
- If you have a valid SER approval letter you can apply for additional funds through MEAP. This program is administered by various providers.
Energy Efficiency Improvements
- Energy Efficiency Assistance Program
- This program offers you the chance to get new energy efficient appliances like refrigerators, furnaces, air conditioners, and light bulbs.
- IRS Tax Credit
- A tax credit is available to those who make qualified energy efficiency improvements to their homes
- Tips for renters and/or homeowners
- 0% Interest Home Repair Loan
Why Are Our Bills So High?
Detroiters pay too much for unreliable electricity.
The average cost of energy for a Detroit resident is 16% of their income! This is much higher than 6% which is is considered affordable.
DTE rates are higher than 95% of utilities in the United States, and folks in Detroit also experience higher rates of shut offs than other utility customers. Your power could be shut off after just 1 missed bill!
And if that isn’t bad enough, Detroit also has some of the most frequent and longest lasting power outages in the nation!
Things don’t have to be this way!
Our current energy system is unaffordable and unreliable because of policy decisions made by those in power in government and at utilities like DTE. Some examples are:
- The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) allows DTE to raise, and set, charge rates. (Source)
- Politicians receive money from DTE and rely on DTE provided experts to tell them what is possible while ignoring other experts. (Source)
- Detroit homes are old requiring more energy to stay warm (or cool) and programs to help homeowners are not funded regularly or adequately.
Get involved
The Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition is leading a “Dismantle DTE” campaign. This is a place for us to educate each other about helpful resources and build a movement capable of challenging DTE’s power! You can also sign their petition to demand lawmakers stop taking dirty money! They also have this guide on how to submit a public comment to tell the Michigan Public Service Commission to deny DTE’s request to raise electric rates, which is also useful for learning how to comment effectively to other official agencies.
Michigan United is running a “Taking Back Our Power” campaign to get corporate money out of politics. Have you had a bad experience with a big corporation like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Delta Dental, DTE Energy, Consumers Energy, Ford or GM? Share your story with them here!
We The People Michigan is working for a clean, and affordable energy future. Sign Up to stay up to date on their work.
Do you run a program or know a useful resource that would be a good fit for this page? If so email Andrew!
