News : Alliant Energy encourages customers to remove snow and ice from meters and vents

Heavy snow and ice can affect gas and electric meters and cause safety concerns

With the recent snow and freezing rain combined now with melting and re-freezing, Alliant Energy wants to remind customers not to forget about clearing snow and ice from their gas and electric meters as well as their furnace vents and other vents around their home.

“With all the snow on the ground across much of Iowa and Minnesota, it’s important to remember that snow accumulation and shoveling can sometimes cause electric and gas meters to be covered,” says Mark Hawley, Manager - Safety & Heath Services, Alliant Energy. “This could affect the operation of the meter.”

Hawley suggests keeping the following tips in mind:

• Don’t pile snow on or near the meter when shoveling or using a snow blower
• Use your hands, not a shovel, to clear snow and ice from the meter
• Never bang on the meter or pipes
• Don’t let dripping water or freezing rain build up on the meter. The vent can become plugged when ice and snow melt during the day and refreeze at night
• Remove icicles hanging above the meter
• Check furnace and water heater exhaust pipes. If an exhaust pipe is blocked, the furnace or water heater could malfunction or stop working

Natural gas regulators have a vent to allow gas to escape; if this vent is blocked, gas flow into the home could be compromised.

“It just takes a few minutes, and it can prevent a lot of problems,” adds Hawley. “We want all our customers to stay safe and warm during the winter season. We appreciate everyone who helps us keep the energy flowing safely and reliably.”

For more information, please call 1-800-ALLIANT (255-4268).

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. Interstate Power and Light, the company's Iowa and Minnesota utility subsidiary, serves approximately 530,000 electric and 235,000 natural gas customers and is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Alliant Energy 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 atwww.alliantenergy.com.