Latest news with #ProlongedPowerOutageReliefAct
CBS News
22-04-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Michigan State Police working with FEMA on Northern Michigan ice storm damage surveys
The Michigan State Police, along with its Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, are assisting local and federal officials in the Northern Michigan ice storm damage surveys. The ice storm took place from March 28-30. Widespread power outages lasted for days, with numerous roads impassable and in some cases cellular phone service disrupted. MSP's division will team up with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and local officials this week to work on the damage assessments, according to the press release issued Tuesday. The goal is to prepare documentations and reports in support of federal disaster assistance for individuals, businesses and communities. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has asked federal officials to allow the state until May 29 for completing the formal application for a major disaster declaration. The survey schedule for April 22-25 calls for evaluating the impact to homes and businesses; and for April 28-May 2 evaluating the damage to public infrastructure along with response costs. The teams will work in the counties that were already included in a state emergency declaration: specifically, Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle. "This next step in the recovery process is about doing everything we can to help residents, businesses, and communities get the assistance they need," said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the MSP/EMHSD. The State of Michigan has compiled announcements and resources on the 2025 Northern Michigan ice storm page . A bill has been introduced in the Michigan House to exempt schools in the ice storm region from makeup days that would otherwise be required this school year. One of the power companies serving Northern Michigan asked for an "act of God" exemption on a state law that requires billing credits to residents for their extended days without power. A request has been made for a presidential emergency declaration for the affected counties. Steps are in the works to prepare a formal application for a major disaster declaration from federal officials. U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens has introduced federal legislation under the title "Prolonged Power Outage Relief Act," seeking a path to low-interest loans for residents or businesses dealing with extended power outages.
CBS News
22-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Michigan power company seeks "ice storm" exemption over customer credits required for extended outages
A Northern Michigan utility company has asked to be waived from a state law that requires billing credits for customers who are left without electricity for an extended period. The letter, which Alpena Power Company filed April 17 with the Michigan Public Service Commission, claims the March 28-30 ice storm in Northern Michigan was an "act of God." Michigan's power outage credit rule takes effect anywhere from 16 to 96 hours after a power outage, with eligibility depending on the reason for the outage. Eligible customers can then receive $40 a day, which is meant to help cover their out-of-pocket expenses and serve as an "accountability metric," according to the Michigan Public Service Commission. In the case of the ice storm, the 96-hour rule applies. Some people in Northern Michigan were without power for two weeks. Credits are automatically applied to a future bill, but the billing credits will not be available for everyone in the ice storm region. The state credit law does not apply to electric cooperatives or municipal electric utilities such as Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op, the Michigan Pubic Service Commission explained. Investor-owned companies such as Alpena Power are required to pay it. Apena Power supplies electricity to about 16,700 customers in parts of Alpena, Presque Isle, Alcona and Montmorency counties in northern Michigan. All four counties are included in a State of Michigan emergency declaration issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. In its letter, Alpena Power states its "entire service territory experienced impactful weather conditions that resulted in extreme and severe ice accumulation, high winds, downed trees and tree damage, impassable roads, downed and damaged power poles, lines, and related equipment, and damaged transformers." The state law, the company argues, includes an "act of God" exemption defined as "an event due to extraordinary natural causes so exceptionally unanticipated and devoid of human agency that reasonable care would not avoid the consequences." Alpena Power seeks a hearing with the commission to address the matter. The State of Michigan has already issued a state disaster declaration and has compiled announcements and resources on the 2025 Northern Michigan ice storm page . A bill has been introduced in the Michigan House to exempt schools in the ice storm region from makeup days that would otherwise be required this school year. A request has been made for a presidential emergency declaration for the affected counties. Steps are in the works to prepare a formal application for a major disaster declaration from federal officials. U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens has introduced federal legislation under the title "Prolonged Power Outage Relief Act," seeking a path to low-interest loans for residents or businesses dealing with extended power outages. Michigan Storm Chasers organized a donation drive and delivery convoy for food and household supplies.
CBS News
14-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Stevens introduces House bill to help mitigate expenses after lengthy power outages
A Michigan congresswoman is introducing a bill aiming to assist with out-of-pocket expenses that families and businesses face during extended power outages. U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, a Democrat from Michigan's District 11, announced the proposed update to the Small Business Act Monday under the title "Prolonged Power Outage Relief Act." The timing comes after massive power disruptions for thousands of Michigan residents; specifically an ice storm that hit March 28-30 in Northern Lower Michigan, overlapping with a March 30 tornado outbreak that produced 14 tornadoes in one day in Southern Lower Michigan. Even more than two weeks after the ice storm, there are still people without power because of the downed trees and power lines in that region. "At a time where prices are on the rise, families and small businesses shouldn't have to shoulder the cost of power outages alone," Stevens said in her press release. The State of Michigan does have a power outage credit rule that takes effect anywhere from 16 to 96 hours after a power outage, with eligibility depending on the reason for the outage. In the case of the ice storm, the 96 hour rule applies. Credits are automatically applied to a future bill. But the state credit law does not apply to electric cooperatives or municipal electric utilities such as Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op, according to the Michigan Public Service Commission. If Stevens' bill passes, other options beyond state-mandated credits could open up. The legislation would allow extended power outages as a reason to declare a federal disaster if more than 25 customers in close proximity are without power for more than 48 hours. Such declaration could allow affected families and businesses to seek low-interest loans to repair or replace equipment and appliances; or purchase alternative power sources to use on a temporary basis. "Prolonged power outages are not just inconveniences – they represent a significant threat to Michigan's, and the country's, economy," Brad Williams, Vice President of Government Relations for the Detroit Regional Chamber said in the press release. "Every hour of downtime for a manufacturing facility translates to lost production, lost wages, and lost tax revenue. By prioritizing grid modernization and emergency response plans, we can mitigate these risks and ensure that Michigan's economic engine continues to hum." Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer applied Friday for a federal emergency declaration in response to the ice storm; a decision has not yet been made. The above video aired April 11, 2025.
