State Rep. Ann Bollin this week voted for a plan to help lower electric bills and improve energy reliability for Michigan families who are struggling with rising monthly costs.

Bollin, R-Brighton Township, said families throughout Michigan are increasingly worried about the rising cost of keeping their homes powered.

“Families are telling me they are doing everything right and still falling behind because of higher utility costs,” Bollin said. “When electric bills keep climbing month after month, it creates real stress for parents, seniors living on fixed incomes, and hardworking people trying to make ends meet. Michigan families need some relief.”

Bollin said the plan focuses on lowering costs while making sure residents can rely on consistent power during storms, heat waves, and freezing winter weather.

“People should not have to worry about whether they can afford to keep the heat on in the winter or the air conditioning running during dangerous summer temperatures,” Bollin said. “We need an energy system that families can depend on without draining their household budgets.”

House Bills 5710-5711 would refocus state energy policy on affordability and reliability by rolling back costly state mandates and requiring the Michigan Public Service Commission to prioritize whether proposed energy plans will keep costs manageable for residents and ensure power is available when needed most.

The plan would also end the use of customer utility payments to fund outside advocacy groups and require greater transparency when utilities seek rate increases.

Bollin said the reforms put Michigan residents ahead of politics and special interests.

“Lansing should be focused on helping families keep more money in their pockets, not pushing policies favored by special interests that make everyday life more expensive,” Bollin said. “Energy decisions should be based on affordability, reliability, and common sense.”

Bollin said she is also working with her colleagues on a separate effort to provide widespread property tax relief and force utility companies to cut the rates residents pay for gas and electric service. Between the two measures, Michigan families would save nearly $1,400 every year through lower property taxes and lower monthly electric bills.

Bollin also supports efforts to restructure the Michigan Public Service Commission, the three-member regulatory panel appointed by the governor that approves rate increases requested by gas and electric companies. She said Michigan families deserve greater accountability and transparency from the commission that is making decisions that directly impact household energy costs.

House Bills 5710-5711 were approved by the House on Tuesday and now advance to the Michigan Senate for further consideration.