Snyder Signs Bills Extending Home Heating Help

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Michigan residents struggling to pay their heating bills will be able to get some assistance.

Gov. Rick Snyder on Tuesday signed bills that create a $58 million fund to replace the Low Income and Energy Efficiency Fund. The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled this summer that the fund program no longer was authorized.

The replacement plan calls for refunding or rebating to customers about $48 million that's been collected in escrow since the ruling. The charge on utility bills resumes until $48 million is raised for the new Vulnerable Household Warmth Fund.

An additional $10 million will come from the state's general fund.

The money is expected to provide heating assistance to 95,000 low-income Michigan residents.

Michigan expects to also distribute around $110 million in federal heat assistance funds.

Speaking to WWJ Newsradio 950 last week, Susan Scherer, CEO of The Heat and Warmth Fund, expressed her support for the legislation.

"This is an important victory and it is proving how quickly when the agencies, the utilities and the legislature and governor's office come together how quickly we can get things done," Scherer said.

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