For Immediate Release
July 22, 2021
Contact:
Alex Rossman
arossman@mlpp.org
517-775-9053
As utility assistance calls rise, new League report outlines ways policymakers can better support families, rein in energy costs
Data show millions of Michiganders struggle with energy affordability, challenges have increased in recent months
LANSING—Michigan 2-1-1 has received more than 67,000 calls from people seeking help with electric bill payments during the COVID-19 pandemic, and from April 18-July 18, 2021, electric bill assistance has been the top request from callers. Only about half of the electric assistance requests over the last three months were due to pandemic-related hardship, and the recent increase in calls underscores how thin the margin is for Michigan families to be able to keep their power on and their home temperatures safe.
A new report from the Michigan League for Public Policy, Empowering Families with Affordable Energy, shows that 33% of household income for Michigan families living below 50% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) goes to energy bills alone, leaving little room in their budget for all other basic needs. Between actual energy bills and what they can afford, Michigan households up to 200% of the FPL—around three million people—face a gap of $1,315 each year.
“All families deserve affordable, safe homes, and energy bills stand in the way of that for many Michigan residents,” said Gilda Z. Jacobs, President and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy. “And as with many problems our state faces, energy usage and efficiency shows racial disparities and inequities that impact physical and mental health, safety and financial stability.”
Before COVID-19 emerged, help with utility bills was consistently one of the most common reasons people contacted Michigan 2-1-1. Even though energy providers suspended disconnections to vulnerable customers for the first few months of the pandemic and have worked to connect them to assistance and affordable payment plans, keeping up with the cost of essential energy needs continues to pose a significant threat to Michigan families—one that preceded this health crisis and will persist beyond it.
The League’s research also shows that utility costs burden households with low incomes and households of color especially. Without proper housing and with long-standing housing discrimination, Michigan families’ health and economic stability remains in jeopardy. Families of color in particular face higher energy cost burdens due to the historical discrimination that limits homeownership opportunities. This inequity is a driving factor of eviction and housing instability.
“Energy efficiency and utility costs pose serious health risks and contribute to racial health disparities,” Jacobs said. “These aren’t only physical burdens, but can have negative impacts on education, employment and income. Heat and electricity are critical for a safe home, and energy use is imperative for personal hygiene, household cleanliness, food preparation and more.”
Michigan has one of the highest adult asthma rates in the nation, causing many to miss work and school. Many structural issues that lead to energy waste and make it difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature in the home can also trigger asthma episodes.
The League’s report outlines some ways lawmakers can help Michiganders with their energy costs. Although energy service is vital to the health, growth and development of children, there are no laws to protect households with young children from utility shutoffs. Older adults with serious medical conditions have shutoff protections, so children, who face similar health risks from unhealthy temperatures in the home, should not be an exception to protection.
Upping the investment in energy efficiency in Michigan and repairing the state’s aging housing stock will have ripple effects for overall health, healthcare costs, neighborhood stability and environmental benefits for all. The League also suggests that energy providers look at income-based utility bills to promote greater predictability and overall housing stability for households with low incomes.
Right now, Michigan law does not adequately promote household energy security and broader housing justice. As state leaders continue to look for ways to help residents get through the COVID crisis and tackle longstanding problems that the pandemic has magnified, these policy recommendations will help make utilities more affordable, keeping families safer and our communities stronger in the process.
###
The Michigan League for Public Policy, www.mlpp.org, is a nonprofit policy institute focused on opportunity for all. Its mission is to advance economic security, racial equity, health and well-being for all people in Michigan through policy change. It is the only state-level organization that addresses poverty in a comprehensive way.
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
