In the wake of the death of a Bay City residence who froze to death after having his power shut off, the Michigan Public Service Commission has sent a set of proposed rules to Gov. Granholm that would prevent such tragedies from occurring. Granholm requested that the MPSC draw up such rules for her approval after the tragedy in Bay City.
 
Under the proposed rules, utility companies would be forbidden from placing service limiters at any residence in the state. In addition, they would be forbidden to cut off power to any customer “65 years of age or older or has a physical or mental disability” or to anyone whose household income is less than 200 percent of the federal poverty line as long as they make a minimum payment equal to either 7% of their annual income of 7% of their annual energy bill or 7% of their monthly income.

The proposed rules also include stronger notification requirements, including mandating that the utility company send someone to the residence in person to verify that the household meets the above requirements and to inform them of their options prior to an energy shutoff.

The proposed rules will become law once approved by Gov. Granholm, the State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules and the Legislative Service Bureau.