Today, TXU Energy announced it has again declared a summer moratorium on disconnects for customers in need. A flexible payment plan is available for residential customers designated as low-income, ill or disabled, or who are at least 62 years of age. This is the fourth consecutive year the company has offered protections to eligible customers.
Customers must contact TXU Energy at 1-800-242-9113 on or after July 1st to notify the company of their needs and to sign up for special, more flexible payment plans. These measures will be in effect July 1 through September 30, 2010. TXU Energy also waives deposit requirements for residential customers who are at least 62 years of age and for all customers with a good record of timely payment.
"At TXU Energy we understand that some customers need assistance with their electricity bills, which is why we offer our voluntary summer moratorium and continue to offer several other programs to assist our customers in need," said Jim Burke, chief executive officer, TXU Energy. "It's important for customers to call us and sign up for the summer moratorium and to communicate their special needs so we can assist them."
TXU Energy's customer protection measures include:
Summer Moratorium on Disconnects
Certain customers who are designated as low-income, ill or disabled, or who are at least 62 years of age can avoid disconnection of service due to non-payment by contacting TXU Energy at 1-800-242-9113 and enrolling in one of the Summer Moratorium plans described below.
The 2010 Summer Moratorium Plans
- Enhancements for customers qualifying under existing PUC rules
TXU Energy will allow customers designated as low-income, ill or disabled, or who are at least 62 years of age and who qualify for a deferred payment plan under the Public Utility Commission (PUC) customer protection rules to continue to receive electric service by paying 25 percent of their total outstanding balance of electric charges, with the remaining balance to be paid in equal installments over the next five billing cycles (typically, balances must be paid in three billing cycles).
- Special payment program for certain customer groups
A flexible payment plan is also available to customers who are designated as low-income, ill or disabled, or who are at least 62 years of age, even if they do not qualify for a payment plan under the PUC customer protection rules. Customers who enroll will continue to receive electric service by paying 50 percent of the total outstanding balance of electric charges, with the remaining balance to be paid in equal installments over the next five billing cycles.
- An additional payment program for other customer groups
Customers designated as either (1) both low-income and who are at least 62 years of age, or (2) ill or disabled can avoid disconnection of service due to non-payment through a special TXU Energy program, even if they do not qualify for a payment plan under the PUC customer protection rules. Qualifying customers who contact TXU Energy before the due date of their current bill and agree to this program can continue to receive electric service by paying 50 percent of their electric bill that becomes due in each of the months of July, August and September. Beginning with the first electric bill due after September 30, 2010, customers subscribing to this plan will be required to pay the deferred balance in equal installments over the next five bills in addition to their actual charges for that month
- Average Monthly Billing is also an option for these customer groups
Customers who call will have the option to sign up for TXU Energy's Average Monthly Billing (AMB) program instead of establishing a payment plan. For many customers, summer consists of several months of high usage bills which can be difficult to pay. AMB spreads electricity costs over 12 months, making a customer's monthly electric bill more predictable. During the higher usage bills of summer, the amount in excess of a customer's annual average monthly bill amount is placed on their account, but it is generally not due until their usage drops below the average and the deferred amount is gradually repaid.
Waiver of Deposits
TXU Energy waives deposits for residential customers who are at least 62 years of age and for any residential customer with an electric bill payment history of no more than one late payment during the prior 12-month period. TXU Energy provides additional deposit waivers as well, including all PUC required waivers..
$250 Million Commitment to Customer Assistance and Energy Efficiency Initiatives
These customer protections are in addition to a comprehensive set of commitments totaling $250 million through 2012, including:
- $125 Million Commitment to Low-Income Customer Discount Program
TXU Energy is investing $125 million through 2012 in a special year-round low-income discount program. TXU Energy is the only retail electric company in Texas that voluntarily provides an approximate 10 percent discount for participating low-income customers. This discount is in addition to the one provided by the State of Texas' System Benefit Fund -- the state directed program for low-income assistance on energy bills. As of April 2010, almost 135,000 TXU Energy customers have been enrolled to receive the discount. The program is available to TXU Energy low-income customers in all the competitive areas across Texas.
- $25 Million Commitment to TXU Energy AidSM Program
Working with social service agencies statewide, TXU Energy administers and helps fund the TXU Energy AidSM program, which benefits any customer who has an emergency need for bill payment assistance. TXU Energy is providing $25 million through 2012 for TXU Energy AidSM, in addition to any funds received from customers and employees for this important program. TXU Energy's program is the largest bill payment assistance program among electricity companies in the nation.
- $100 Million Commitment to Energy Efficiency and Conservation Investments
Additionally, TXU Energy plans to spend $100 million through 2012 to help customers reduce the amount of electricity they use through energy efficiency and conservation initiatives. A portion of this commitment has been dedicated to the company's Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, which targets single- and multi-family homes by providing access to technologies that help customers use less electricity so they reduce their overall bills and save money.
For more information on the summer moratorium visit txu.com/billhelp
About TXU Energy
TXU Energy is a market-leading competitive retailer that provides electricity and related services to more than 2 million electricity customers in Texas. TXU Energy offers a variety of innovative products and solutions, allowing both its residential and business customers to choose options that best meet their needs, including exceptional customer service, competitively priced electricity service plans, innovative energy efficiency options, renewable energy programs and other electricity-related products and services. Visit txu.com for more information about TXU Energy. REP #10004.
