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NEWS RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
Oconomowoc
Utilities
April 2, 2009
Contact: Greg
Hoffmann, Energy Services Representative 569-3282
Oconomowoc Utilities cautions against
disconnect as winter moratorium ends
Oconomowoc Utilities is advising electric customers who are behind on
their bills to make payment arrangements with the utility to avoid
service disconnection.
Wisconsin’s Winter Emergency Period, often referred to
as the moratorium on residential service disconnection, ends April 15.
After that date, utilities statewide may begin to disconnect service to
customers who are past due on payment of their electric bills for any
period of time, including the winter months.
“Sadly, this is an issue we must address with more and more customers
each year,” said Dennis Bednarski, Electric Operations Manager. “It is,
however, Oconomowoc Utilities’ goal to do what we can to collect unpaid
bills from the moratorium to keep electric rates low in our community.”
The
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin established the annual moratorium
— from November 1 to April 15 — to protect customers from service
disconnection during harsh Wisconsin winters.
According to Bednarski, more than 692 utility customers have overdue
bills representing
$205,910.95. Despite these figures, nearly 92 percent of customers pay their bills on time
each month.
“We
understand that situations can arise, making it difficult for customers
to pay their bills,” said Bednarski. “However, to avoid disconnection, we
are urging customers to make the appropriate payment arrangements and we
would like to help these customers make suitable arrangements to avoid
shutting off their service.”
Customers can call Oconomowoc Utilities to make payment arrangements. The
utility will negotiate payment options with customers, according to
Bednarski. Bednarski also said the utility will issue a final
disconnection notice prior to limiting service.
To
make payment arrangements or to explore payment options with the utility,
call the utility at 569-2198 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday
through Friday.
Best Buy TV Recycling
Pilot Program
Best
Buy has been running a pilot program in Wisconsin since late last year to
take back and recycle TVs (with screens of 32" or less), regardless of
whether they were purchased at Best Buy or not and without any additional
purchase. This was a free program. This month, they are still taking
back TVs; however, they are now requiring the purchase of a $10 gift card
with the return of each TV. In other words, they charge a resident $10
for returning a TV and then give the resident a $10 gift card in return.
An Investment in our Community
Oconomowoc Utilities is offering two Public Power scholarships to local
high school students. These $500 scholarships will be presented to high
school seniors who plans to attend a two-year technical college or
four-year university. Read
More
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