We Energies: contributes $200,000 to Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund

From: Margaret Stanfield

MILWAUKEE – More assistance is available for low-income We Energies customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills. In addition to the $1.6 million in crisis assistance Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle announced earlier today, We Energies has donated $200,000 to the Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund (KWWF).

“Without question, the compassion and generosity shown by We Energies will give hope to the many families who are struggling to meet their basic energy needs,” said Tim Bruer, honorary campaign coordinator for KWWF.

We Energies encourages customers who have had their service disconnected and need energy assistance to contact the company at (800) 842-4565. Customers can also contact the social service organization they are currently working with to apply for the funds.

“We appreciate the governor’s leadership in this area,” said Joan Shafer, We Energies vice president, Customer Services. “The crisis assistance funds and the money for the Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund will help many of our low-income customers.”

“The contribution to the Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund given by We Energies will ensure the health and safety of many families who are faced with financial challenges in meeting their energy burdens,” said Helen Gee, utility coordinator for Community Advocates. “This contribution can help alleviate the financial burden associated with the beginning of the fall school season.”

The Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund is a statewide, non-profit public/private partnership that steps in and keeps the heat and power on for thousands of families in crisis. Many of these households pay between 30-40 percent of their monthly income toward energy costs. About 85 percent of those helped by the Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund are elderly, disabled or families with young children. Additional information is available at www.keepwisconsinwarm.org.

We Energies serves over one million electric customers in Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and 990,000 natural gas customers in Wisconsin. Its energy prices are more than 10 percent below the average for major U.S. cities. We Energies is the trade name of Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Wisconsin Gas Company LLC, the principal utility subsidiaries of Wisconsin Energy Corporation (NYSE: WEC). Visit the We Energies Web site at www.we-energies.com. Learn more about Wisconsin Energy Corporation by visiting www.WisconsinEnergy.com.