Media Contact: Steve Schultz (608) 458-3285
Many convenient payment options available for customers behind on bills
MADISON, WI – April 13, 2011 – Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), an Alliant Energy company, encourages customers who are not current on their utility bills to take action now. The last day of the utility moratorium on disconnections is April 15th.
As of March 31, 2011, 39,370 WPL customers were 60 days or more in arrears. That number is up slightly, from 39,175 last year. The total dollar amount owed by those customers is about $14.5 million, up from $13.5 million from last year. If customers make no attempt to pay their bills or set up a payment plan, they may be subject to disconnection after April 15th.
“In the current economic environment we understand that some of our customers are having trouble keeping up on their bills,” says Tim Heinrich, Director of Customer Support Services for Alliant Energy.
“We want customers to know we offer payment options to help ease this burden and help them stay current on their utility bill.”
One of the most attractive payment options is the minimum payment option which is available again this year. In April, this option reflects a payment of 30% of the account balance to avoid disconnection. The percentage increases by 10% each month through June and remains at 50% through September. Customers electing this option will find it is the minimum monthly amount required to ensure a continuation of service.
Due to the significant call volume that occurs this time of year, the fastest way to make a catch-up payment is through the following self-service options:
* Online payment – All you need to make an instant online payment is your Alliant Energy utility account number and your bank account information. Go to alliantenergy.com/paymybill.
* Pay by phone – Call 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) and follow the instructions in the interactive system. Have your Alliant Energy utility account number and your bank account information handy.
Other self-service payment options available to customers include:
* Auto Pay – You can have your utility bill automatically deducted from your bank account every month. You can enroll through the Your Account site at alliantenergy.com/youraccount.
* Paperless Billing – Allows you to receive, review and pay your bill online. You can enroll through the Your Account site at alliantenergy.com/youraccount.
* Budget Billing – Budget Billing spreads your energy costs evenly over a 12-month period. Alliant Energy calculates your average bill based on your current account balance, current fuel costs, anticipated fuel cost changes and the past 12 months of energy usage at your home. The budget bill amount is reviewed and adjusted, up or down, every six months. You can enroll through the Your Account site at alliantenergy.com/youraccount.
* Western Union® Convenience Pay® –You can pay your Alliant Energy utility bill with cash, check or money order at any Western Union® Convenience Pay® location. Call 1-800-551-8001 to find the nearest Convenience Pay location. Western Union® charges a transaction fee for this service.
* Western Union® Speedpay® – Call 1-877-429-4126 or visit alliantenergy.com/paymybill to pay using your credit card or checking account. Western Union® charges a transaction fee for this service.
If you want to speak with someone about your bill, call 1-800-255-4268. Alliant Energy encourages you to use the call back technology if you experience a wait when calling. This allows you to keep your spot in the queue and have a customer service representative call you back automatically when it is your turn.
Energy assistance funds are also still available for qualified individuals and families through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP). The program provides dollars to moderate and low income level households to help pay a portion of their winter gas or electric bills.
To obtain energy assistance, qualified Wisconsin residents can apply to their local county energy assistance agency for WHEAP funds through May 15, 2011. Call 1-866-432-8947 to locate the nearest county agency that provides energy assistance funds or visit homeenergyplus.wi.gov. Qualification for energy assistance is not based on whether someone is behind on their energy bills or rents versus owning a home.
Alliant Energy is an energy-services provider with subsidiaries serving approximately 1 million electric and over 412,000 natural gas customers. Providing its customers in the Midwest with regulated electric and natural gas service is the company’s primary focus. Wisconsin Power and Light, the company’s Wisconsin utility subsidiary, serves approximately 457,000 electric and 179,000 natural gas customers. Alliant Energy, headquartered in Madison, Wis., is a Fortune 1000 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LNT. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at http://www.alliantenergy.com.
