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September 25, 2008

Public Utility Commission to assist Ike victims

By Amy Moore

The News staff writer

Power companies are giving their customers who have been affected by Hurricane Ike a little extra time and concern.

The Public Utility Commission (PUC) on Wednesday approved an emergency order that prohibits electric service disconnections, waives deposit requirements for new service and prohibits higher fees for non-business day, same-day service reconnections and priority move-in requests.

The prohibitions and waiver are effective until Friday, Oct. 10.

Eligible customers under the order are Entergy customers in Jefferson, Orange, Chambers and Galveston Counties and CenterPoint Energy customers in the Houston–Galveston area.

“This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay your bill. You’re still responsible for your bill, you just get extra time,” Terry Hadley, spokesman with PUC said.

Hadley said the PUC has made orders like this before during extraordinary events such as Hurricane Ike.

Other customers are eligible for the benefits if they live in a county that is included in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster declaration (or in Rusk County) and provide evidence that they have been adversely impacted by Hurricane Ike. Proof of residence, such as a driver’s license, electric bill or voter registration card may be required.

Electric and telephone customers affected by Hurricane Ike are encouraged to contact their providers who may offer customer protections or benefits above and beyond the scope of the Commission’s order.

The Commission limited the duration of the order to Oct. 10 since the three-member panel’s next scheduled open meeting is Oct. 8. At that time the Commission will review the effectiveness of the order and determine if any changes, deletions or additions are needed.

Debi Derrick, media relations with Entergy, said the company will comply with any orders given by the PUC, who regulates the company.

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