DETROIT - Michigan's Governor, Jennifer Granholm, announced recently a program in cooperation with Michigan's utilities and the Michigan Public Service Commission to provide 1,500 programmable thermostats to low-income residents who are already receiving weatherization services through the Michigan Department of Human Services.

The Michigan Community Action Agency Association launched the "Save Energy with Ease" program to handle the distribution of these thermostats to Community Action Agencies throughout the state. The Michigan Chapter of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (MIACCA) has endorsed the program and since the thermostats must be installed by a licensed mechanical contractor, have offered to solicit MIACCA members throughout the state who would be willing to install the thermostats in their communities.

The state offered to pay up to $25 per installation, however, participating contractors may donate a part or all of that fee back to the Community Action Agencies to help others.