News : Utility moratorium on disconnections in Iowa ends for this heating season

Customers behind on bills encouraged to use self-service payment options

Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), an Alliant Energy company, encourages Iowa customers who are not current on their utility bills to take action now. Customers can use payment options including self-service, or talking to a customer service representative by calling 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268).

As of March 31, 2011, approximately 24,872 IPL residential customers in Iowa are 60 days or more behind on their bills, up slightly from last year at 23,004. These customers owe more than $6.8 million, up nearly $1.4 million from last year. The average bill for IPL residential customers in Iowa who are behind is $275, up from last year at $236. If customers make no attempt to pay their bills and do not attempt to set up a payment plan, they may be subject to disconnection after April 1.

“We understand our customers have a number of demands placed on them in the current economic environment,” said Tim Heinrich, director of customer support services. “We will work out payment arrangements for our customers on a case-by-case basis.”

Among the free payment options available to customers are:

• 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 and follow the instructions in the interactive system. Have your Alliant Energy utility account number and your bank account information handy.
• Easy Pay – You can have your utility bill automatically deducted from your account every month. You’ll need your Alliant Energy utility account number and bank account information when you call.
• Your e-Bill – Allows you to review and pay your bill online. You can enroll through the Your Account site at alliantenergy.com/youraccount.
• Budget Billing – 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.

Customers in Iowa can call customer service representatives 24-hours a day to discuss payment options. To make payment arrangements, call 1-800-ALLIANT.

“In addition to the payment options we offer, we can also help our customers get in touch with their community action agencies which distribute energy assistance dollars,” said Heinrich.

To obtain energy assistance, qualified utility customers can apply for LIHEAP funds until April 30, 2011. For more information on where or how to apply for LIHEAP funds, people can contact their local community action agency or visit www.dcaa.iowa.gov and click on “Bureau of Energy Assistance.” Eligibility for energy assistance is not based on whether someone is behind on their energy bills, rent or owns their 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. Interstate Power and Light, the company’s Iowa utility subsidiary, serves 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 at www.alliantenergy.com.