DETROIT, Nov. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy
today announced it is donating a total of $10 million to four Michigan outreach agencies to help low-income
residents stay safe and warm during the cold winter months and
throughout the year.
The funds may be used to assist residents struggling to pay
current and past due utility bills and may also be used to support
placing them on DTE's Low Income Self Sufficiency Plan (LSP), which
provides for affordable monthly payments based on income and energy
usage.
"We'd like to see that every customer eligible for energy
assistance is able to receive assistance," said Mark W. Stiers, president and chief operating
officer of DTE Gas, DTE Energy. "Lower temperatures are already
upon us, so we have a great sense of urgency to assist Michigan's most vulnerable. DTE's
$10 million donation will empower our
agency partners to help our customers in need stay warm and safe
not just for the holidays but year-round."
This marks the seventh year DTE has administered the Low-Income
Self Sufficiency Plan program. Since 2012, the plan has seen
a nearly 90 percent success rate of enrollees completing their
payment plan cycles and building a pattern of
self-reliance.
The DTE donations will be given to and administered by The Heat
and Warmth Fund (THAW), The Salvation Army, United Way for
Southeastern Michigan, and
TrueNorth.
"During cold Michigan winters,
families across the state need as much help as they can get," said
Saunteel Jenkins, THAW's chief executive officer. "THAW is
grateful to DTE for our 33-year partnership and this generous
donation that will help families stay safe and warm."
"For the past several years DTE has partnered with The Salvation
Army helping to provide a warm home for our less fortunate
neighbors," said Major Glen Cady,
Salvation Army Western Michigan Northern Indian Divisional
Commander. "This year once again DTE has stepped up to assist
those who come to us in crisis situations. Their commitment to the
people of Michigan is an
inspiration to all of us at The Salvation Army."
"This latest DTE gift will further strengthen our 2-1-1 agents
in helping those in crisis stay warm and that medical equipment is
operable throughout the winter months," said Darienne Driver, Ed.D., president and CEO,
United Way for Southeastern
Michigan. "We are most grateful for our DTE partnership that
ensures energy assistance supports are available to those in need
across southeast Michigan year
after year."
"Our growing partnership with DTE Energy's LSP program allows us
to connect more customers in Michigan with the help they deserve," said
Nicole Fanjoy, the Division Director
for TrueNorth Community Services' emPower program. "We're
very glad we can work with DTE to ensure even more people can be
safe and warm this winter."
For additional program details and enrollment information, visit
dteenergy.com/lsp.
About DTE Energy
DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company
involved in the development and management of energy-related
businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an
electric utility serving 2.2 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a natural gas
utility serving 1.3 million customers in Michigan. The DTE Energy portfolio includes
non-utility energy businesses focused on power and industrial
projects, natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage, and energy
marketing and trading. As one of Michigan's leading corporate citizens, DTE
Energy is a force for growth and prosperity in the 450 Michigan
communities it serves in a variety of ways, including philanthropy,
volunteerism and economic progress. Information about DTE Energy is
available at dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com,
twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com/dteenergy.
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SOURCE DTE Energy