A New Energy Waste Reduction Program Coming to MEC

My wife has been pestering me for a while to clean out the garage, the shed, and the barn. I am obviously a pack rat because I filled up a 30-yard dumpster with all the items I have been saving just in case I needed them. In the midst of cleaning out my barn, I found a box of something I didn’t expect: eight new LED light bulbs that I had purchased from MEC when we had our Energy Optimization (EO) program. As a reminder, several years ago, the state of Michigan had an EO program that required utilities to offer rebates on appliances and HVAC systems, as well as provide weatherization and other assistance to residents and businesses.

To pay for the program, utilities had to implement a surcharge on customers’ bills. You may remember that EO charge or perhaps the store we had with power strips, light bulbs, and more. The calculated savings assumed that customers would actually use what we provided. Like me, customers did not always install their light bulbs.

Well, when the state sunset the program in 2021, some utilities decided to establish their own programs. MEC chose to eliminate ours because we didn’t want to charge all customers for services that not everyone could take advantage of.

Then, in 2023, the state of Michigan passed the Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act (EWR), which requires utilities to again meet energy waste reduction standards and effectively reinstates an EO program. We are required to launch the new EWR Program in 2026.

I’m happy to share that the new program offers improvements over the previous one. Overall, it has been tightened up, making administration more efficient. You’ll have access to more tech-forward products and services, such as smart thermostats. Plus, you’ll be able to utilize an Amazon storefront to purchase rebate-eligible products with ease.

What’s Included in the Program

• Rebates for energy-efficient appliances, heating & cooling systems, and thermostats
• Free energy-saving kits
• Business support, including energy assessments and rebates
• Additional support for income-qualified households

Additionally, starting in January, you will see an EWR PA 295 tax surcharge on your bill. The surcharge will be $.00204 per kWh for residential customers. See below for a breakdown of additional maximum charges by rate classification.

I encourage all of you to take advantage of this program. It can save you money both on purchases and through reduced electricity usage. Additionally, it can help everyone by reducing the strain on the grid. That’s something you know I’m passionate about—and you should be too!

We’ll have all the details and the storefront available on our website at teammidwest.com/energy-savings early next year. Stay tuned to Country Lines and our Plugged In monthly e-newsletter for more details.

Just so you know, light bulbs will not be part of the program—because many of us still have a few around.

Terry Rubenthaler
MEC President/CEO

Energy Waste Reduction Mazimum Surcharge Amounts