Monthly Archives: May 2020

(May 19, 2020 1:03 pm) Consumers Energy today announced a partnership with Google and Uplight to provide Google Nest thermostats to up to 100,000 households, helping Michigan residents power through the COVID-19 pandemic by saving energy and money. “Consumers Energy is committed to Michigan’s success, and we’re excited to help so many of our friends and neighbors during these challenging times by putting this powerful technology into their hands at no cost,” said Patti Poppe, Consumers Energy’s president and CEO. “We want to give our customers more control to manage their energy use, helping reduce their bills while protecting the environment.” This offer is part of Consumers Energy’s Clean Energy Plan, which will eliminate coal and achieve net-zero carbon emissions. Google and Uplight are helping Consumers Energy provide the Google Nest Thermostat E to customers through July 31. “As we work to protect and support all Michiganders during the COVID-19 pandemic, this is a great tool to help families keep their utility bills down,” said Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “I commend Consumers Energy, Google and Uplight for this innovative partnership, which helps people save money and is another step for our state toward a cleaner energy future.” Consumers Energy…

(May 19, 2020 12:27 PM) The Jackson County Health Department released the COVID-19 positive numbers for Jackson County.  As of 12:00 PM today, there are 418 positive cases (cumulative), and 26 deaths (cumulative)*.  There was no change in numbers or stats for today, May 18, 2020. Cumulative recovered** patients (cumulative): 247 (updated weekly, as of May 15). The Michigan Department of Corrections is reporting as of 7 PM Monday, there are 1,040 confirmed positive cases are at Jackson facilities, 145 Confirmed Positive Jackson staff. As of 3 PM on Monday, May 18, there are 20 individuals with positive COVID-19 results who are inpatients at Henry Ford Allegiance Health. To date, a total of 123 positive COVID-19 HFAH inpatients have been treated and discharged. *These numbers do not reflect any cases or deaths identified through Michigan Department of Corrections.  Their numbers are listed under a separate category "Others" for the Michigan Statistics. **Recovered is defined as the number of persons with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis who are alive 30 days post-onset (or referral date if onset is not available). Gender   Percent Male 196 46.9% Female 222 53.1% The Age group is reported as a percentage of the total instead of the actual…

(May 19, 2020 10:55 AM) As many Michiganders struggle financially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Attorney General Dana Nessel kept consumers in mind when she responded to a Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) order seeking input on utility requests to recover COVID-19-related costs.    Last month, the MPSC issued an order requiring utilities under its jurisdiction to provide some minimum protections for vulnerable customers related to bill payment, disconnection of service and reconnection of service as a result of the current pandemic.  Part of the order asked utilities to provide a report on COVID-19 related costs and options for tracking and recovering these costs from customers.    “All utility customers, both businesses and individuals, have been impacted financially by COVID-19,” said Nessel. “Accordingly, utilities should also share in the sacrifice regarding COVID-19 costs and not be permitted to simply pass those costs along to their customers. Also, additional data reporting will assist the Michigan Public Service Commission to target relief to where it is most needed.”  In her response, Nessel requested the following:  Additional data reporting on customer arrearages, extended payment plans and customer defaults in order to better understand and respond to customer needs.  Require some shared sacrifice on the part of utilities by limiting COVID-19-related costs to only 80 percent of the amount actually incurred.  Limit utility recovery of…