L-R: Steve Spreitzer (Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion); Rev. Wendell Anthony (pastor at Fellowship Chapel, Detroit NAACP); Joe Tate (MI representative – 10th district; Speaker of the House); Rev. Deidrich Tupper (pastor at New Faith Temple COGIC; founder of New Faith Temple Community Development Corporation and the Tabernacle Community Development Corporation).
On April 17, DTE team members from Community Engagement, Corporate & Government Affairs (CGA) and the Energy Advocacy Group (in partnership with Consumers Energy) headed to Michigan’s Capitol to meet with legislators and advocate for our vulnerable customers.
Evette Griffie, Dave Palsrok, Mark Jones, Winston Feeheley, Jason Sparks, Leah Wawro, Charles Bazner, Jacob Walker, Sakinah Howard, Maria Christian and Alissa Sevrioukova were joined by 60+ members of the Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm and other community partners. They spoke with legislators about the importance of the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), energy efficiency programs and how expanding funding and eligibility to both will help Michigan’s most vulnerable afford their critical basic needs.
The group met with more than 40 legislators – a huge step in educating lawmakers on the energy assistance needs of our customers. This team of DTE employees and community partners is passionate about removing structural barriers that prevent customers from getting assistance and expanding the income threshold for eligible customers. Thank you to everyone who traveled to Lansing for this important work, and everyone who works with customers every day to connect them to energy assistance!
Top photo: L-R: Jason Sparks (DTE); Rev. Wendell Anthony (pastor at Fellowship Chapel, Detroit NAACP); Stephanie Chang (MI State Senator – 3rd district); Rev. John Hearn (Christian Faith Ministry; Western Wayne NAACP); Rev. Deidrich Tupper (pastor at New Faith Temple COGIC; founder of New Faith Temple Community Development Corporation and the Tabernacle Community Development Corporation).