Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
A range.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Ops keep falling on my head. And just like the
guy who's feed a too big ball, he has bit
nothing seems to fit, don't ring Dups are fall in
on my head.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
They keep all in.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
So we just rain and tornadoes and ice and hurricanes
now too, it's Michael Patrick Shields with you. When a
storm hits Consumers Energy, and they're eight thousand dedicated team members,
don't hesitate. They set aside their lives for the millions
of Michiganders who count on them for the energy they need.
(00:42):
Twenty four to seven. Visit Consumers Energy dot com, slash
reliable and you can learn more. And it's Michael Patrick
Shields and facts. Lauren Snyder is the senior vice president
and chief customer Officer at Consumers Energy and is on
our radio stage right now and line hi and dry somewhere.
(01:02):
I'm sure welcome to the program. Thank you for being here.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Hey, good morning. I'm bringing some sunshine.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Bringing some sunshine and bringing home some bacon for us too.
It sounds like too.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Huh, that's right, it's been so hot.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Well, two million dollars is a lot of money. And
it's not the money, it's the amount. As JP mucarthy
used to say, and your company is committing that two
million to help thousands of us, and we are all
electric natural gas customers and we might get some help.
I understand what do we need the help for?
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Yeah, so, you know, speaking of it being hot, this
is one of the hottest summers on record. In fact,
July is one of the hottest summers on record, and
we know that that means higher energy use. We're using
our acs more, air conditioning's more, and that equates to
higher bill. You know, we care deeply about our customers
and that's why we're stepping in with two million dollars
(02:06):
to help families who are struggling. You know, it's part
of a bigger picture. We provided five million dollars in
assistance earlier this year, and we're always working to find
ways to help, from direct assistance to tools that can
help customers lower their bills. So the two million dollars
is going to THAW, which is the Heat and Warmth
Fund and the Salvation Army, and we are asking customers
(02:30):
to reach out to those two organizations to get access
to these dollars.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
This is not really a choice when you need heat
in the winter and air conditioning in the summer, because
when you have extreme temperatures like we have, it's a
matter of survival, isn't it?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
It is it is, and we are seeing more and
more extreme weather and temperatures.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
So if your bill got extreme, which can happen sometimes
you open it up and say, oh, how did that happen?
And you need some help paying it. What are the
qualifications that you can get access to the two million
dollars two million dollars Consumers Energy is committing.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Yeah, that's yes, a very good question. So funding is
available for gas, electric and combination utility customers and it's
specifically targeting those households who have an income that are
at or below the four hundred percent of ceteral poverty level.
And so we're really trying to help those customers who
(03:32):
maybe our passed due in their consumer's energy bill or
they're at risk of a shutoff. That is the group
of customers that we're really trying to help. And all
they need to do is reach out to Thaw the
Salvation Army or they can call two one one. Two
on one also is a great resource that can make
sure they get connected to these funds.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
If you're an individual making less than sixty two thousand
dollars a year or a family of four with a
household income of less than one hundred and twenty eight thousand,
you would qualify for this situation. And the Salvation Army
for some of them is their last hope. But it's thaw,
the Heat and Warmth Fund and the Salvation Army, and
(04:17):
those are the ways that you can get to that.
I suppose if you google that or just google Consumers Energy,
you'll be able to figure it out.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
You absolutely will.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
Yes, is this you have to pay back or is
it a gift?
Speaker 2 (04:32):
You do not have to pay it back? This is us,
you know, we are constantly trying to find ways to
help our customers, and especially in situations like this, and
this is our way of, you know, recognizing a situation
and doing what we tend to help customers during these
warm summer months.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Two million at the moment, seven million for the year.
Any advice for people who are listening right now who say, well,
I got to keep that bill down, but I got
to stay comfortable too, Any advice, ye, tips on how
to do both of those things?
Speaker 4 (05:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Yeah, for sure. We are working to make it easier
for customers to save right to use less energy so
that they don't have higher bills. We've launched a new
online tool where you can enter in your household information
and it matches you with programs that specifically target lowering
your bills. So definitely come to our website Consumers Energy
(05:28):
dot com to check that tool out. And you know,
we also have really great energy efficiency offerings, things like
rebates for efficient appliances and tips for shifting energy usage. Uh,
come to our website because you can really learn a
lot about real time action that can equate to real
time savings to help keep that bill low and still
(05:51):
be comfortable.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
You can also dial to one one. You can go
to Consumers Energy dot com slash Assistance, you can call
eight hundred and eight sixty sixth thaw, and you can
go to the Salvation Army. It's actually Sellarmy dot us
slash energy. But if you need to hear all that again,
go to miibigshow dot com and write it all down
(06:14):
and get where you need to go. Consumers Energy, Michigan's
largest energy provider natural gas and electricity A six point
eight million of the ten million residents in all sixty
eight lower Peninsula counties. That's why we stay in close
touch with Consumers Energy, and they've got a two million
dollar pledge that comes after the five million contribution earlier
(06:36):
this year. That's very generous of you, and we very
much appreciate the assistance and the advice and the work
that goes into Sometimes you know, you flip the switch
and you take it for granted, but we never do
because we find out what happens sometimes if you don't
have it, and you know, if you don't have the funds,
Consumers Energy wants you to spend less so you can
(06:58):
do more. But thank you very very much, Lauren Snyder.
That's nice news and we appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
And you know it's too darn hot and it won't
be long from now we'll be scraping nice off of
our windshields and we'll be saying when is summer coming.
That's just the way it is. Thank you to Consumers
Energy and Michael Patrick Shields through the AT and T microphones.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
Looking for your next sunny getaway, whether it's to your
favorite theme park, relaxing beach time, a golf trip, or
just feeling the sun on your face. Breeze airways as
you covered with convenient non stop flights from Lansing's Capitol
Region International Airport to Sonny, Orlando and Fort Myers. Trouble
with these by visiting Flybreeze dot com or by downloading
(07:53):
the Breeze app. Fly Lancing on Breeze Airways seriously nice.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
Heading back to school is a good deal better at Meyer.
Start off on the right foot with buy one, get
one for one dollar athletic or sketcher shoes for the family.
Earn an a plus on lunch with hot deals on
Meyer brend must haves all season long. Meyer peanut butter,
jelly and round top bread are just one thirty nine each.
Meyer meal prep containers are five forty nine, and Meyer
(08:21):
disinfecting wifes are two ninety nine. Enjoy the back to
school good life at Meyer. Exclusions apply See all deals
in the Meyer App.
A range.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Ops keep falling on my head. And just like the
guy who's feed a too big ball, he has bit
nothing seems to fit, don't ring Dups are fall in
on my head.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
They keep all in.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
So we just rain and tornadoes and ice and hurricanes
now too, it's Michael Patrick Shields with you. When a
storm hits Consumers Energy, and they're eight thousand dedicated team members,
don't hesitate. They set aside their lives for the millions
of Michiganders who count on them for the energy they need.
(00:42):
Twenty four to seven. Visit Consumers Energy dot com, slash
reliable and you can learn more. And it's Michael Patrick
Shields and facts. Lauren Snyder is the senior vice president
and chief customer Officer at Consumers Energy and is on
our radio stage right now and line hi and dry somewhere.
(01:02):
I'm sure welcome to the program. Thank you for being here.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Hey, good morning. I'm bringing some sunshine.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Bringing some sunshine and bringing home some bacon for us too.
It sounds like too.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Huh, that's right, it's been so hot.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Well, two million dollars is a lot of money. And
it's not the money, it's the amount. As JP mucarthy
used to say, and your company is committing that two
million to help thousands of us, and we are all
electric natural gas customers and we might get some help.
I understand what do we need the help for?
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Yeah, so, you know, speaking of it being hot, this
is one of the hottest summers on record. In fact,
July is one of the hottest summers on record, and
we know that that means higher energy use. We're using
our acs more, air conditioning's more, and that equates to
higher bill. You know, we care deeply about our customers
and that's why we're stepping in with two million dollars
(02:06):
to help families who are struggling. You know, it's part
of a bigger picture. We provided five million dollars in
assistance earlier this year, and we're always working to find
ways to help, from direct assistance to tools that can
help customers lower their bills. So the two million dollars
is going to THAW, which is the Heat and Warmth
Fund and the Salvation Army, and we are asking customers
(02:30):
to reach out to those two organizations to get access
to these dollars.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
This is not really a choice when you need heat
in the winter and air conditioning in the summer, because
when you have extreme temperatures like we have, it's a
matter of survival, isn't it?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
It is it is, and we are seeing more and
more extreme weather and temperatures.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
So if your bill got extreme, which can happen sometimes
you open it up and say, oh, how did that happen?
And you need some help paying it. What are the
qualifications that you can get access to the two million
dollars two million dollars Consumers Energy is committing.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Yeah, that's yes, a very good question. So funding is
available for gas, electric and combination utility customers and it's
specifically targeting those households who have an income that are
at or below the four hundred percent of ceteral poverty level.
And so we're really trying to help those customers who
(03:32):
maybe our passed due in their consumer's energy bill or
they're at risk of a shutoff. That is the group
of customers that we're really trying to help. And all
they need to do is reach out to Thaw the
Salvation Army or they can call two one one. Two
on one also is a great resource that can make
sure they get connected to these funds.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
If you're an individual making less than sixty two thousand
dollars a year or a family of four with a
household income of less than one hundred and twenty eight thousand,
you would qualify for this situation. And the Salvation Army
for some of them is their last hope. But it's thaw,
the Heat and Warmth Fund and the Salvation Army, and
(04:17):
those are the ways that you can get to that.
I suppose if you google that or just google Consumers Energy,
you'll be able to figure it out.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
You absolutely will.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
Yes, is this you have to pay back or is
it a gift?
Speaker 2 (04:32):
You do not have to pay it back? This is us,
you know, we are constantly trying to find ways to
help our customers, and especially in situations like this, and
this is our way of, you know, recognizing a situation
and doing what we tend to help customers during these
warm summer months.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Two million at the moment, seven million for the year.
Any advice for people who are listening right now who say, well,
I got to keep that bill down, but I got
to stay comfortable too, Any advice, ye, tips on how
to do both of those things?
Speaker 4 (05:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Yeah, for sure. We are working to make it easier
for customers to save right to use less energy so
that they don't have higher bills. We've launched a new
online tool where you can enter in your household information
and it matches you with programs that specifically target lowering
your bills. So definitely come to our website Consumers Energy
(05:28):
dot com to check that tool out. And you know,
we also have really great energy efficiency offerings, things like
rebates for efficient appliances and tips for shifting energy usage. Uh,
come to our website because you can really learn a
lot about real time action that can equate to real
time savings to help keep that bill low and still
(05:51):
be comfortable.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
You can also dial to one one. You can go
to Consumers Energy dot com slash Assistance, you can call
eight hundred and eight sixty sixth thaw, and you can
go to the Salvation Army. It's actually Sellarmy dot us
slash energy. But if you need to hear all that again,
go to miibigshow dot com and write it all down
(06:14):
and get where you need to go. Consumers Energy, Michigan's
largest energy provider natural gas and electricity A six point
eight million of the ten million residents in all sixty
eight lower Peninsula counties. That's why we stay in close
touch with Consumers Energy, and they've got a two million
dollar pledge that comes after the five million contribution earlier
(06:36):
this year. That's very generous of you, and we very
much appreciate the assistance and the advice and the work
that goes into Sometimes you know, you flip the switch
and you take it for granted, but we never do
because we find out what happens sometimes if you don't
have it, and you know, if you don't have the funds,
Consumers Energy wants you to spend less so you can
(06:58):
do more. But thank you very very much, Lauren Snyder.
That's nice news and we appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
And you know it's too darn hot and it won't
be long from now we'll be scraping nice off of
our windshields and we'll be saying when is summer coming.
That's just the way it is. Thank you to Consumers
Energy and Michael Patrick Shields through the AT and T microphones.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
Looking for your next sunny getaway, whether it's to your
favorite theme park, relaxing beach time, a golf trip, or
just feeling the sun on your face. Breeze airways as
you covered with convenient non stop flights from Lansing's Capitol
Region International Airport to Sonny, Orlando and Fort Myers. Trouble
with these by visiting Flybreeze dot com or by downloading
(07:53):
the Breeze app. Fly Lancing on Breeze Airways seriously nice.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
Heading back to school is a good deal better at Meyer.
Start off on the right foot with buy one, get
one for one dollar athletic or sketcher shoes for the family.
Earn an a plus on lunch with hot deals on
Meyer brend must haves all season long. Meyer peanut butter,
jelly and round top bread are just one thirty nine each.
Meyer meal prep containers are five forty nine, and Meyer
(08:21):
disinfecting wifes are two ninety nine. Enjoy the back to
school good life at Meyer. Exclusions apply See all deals
in the Meyer App.
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