8.1 percent more IPL customers behind on bills as shutoff moratorium ends

As Iowa's annual winter utility cutoff moratorium ended Friday, April 1, the number of Interstate Power & Light customers facing possible shutoff was up 8 .1 percent.

IPL said 24,872 customers were 60 or more days behind on their bills, up from 23,004 in 2010. They owe more than $6.8 million, up $.4 million, or 26 percent, from last year's $5.4 million.

The utility urged customers facing shutoff to call the company's customer service representatives at 1-800-ALLIANT to arrange a payment plan. The company can also help customers to contact community action agencies that distribute heating assistance funds.

“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.”

The average bill for IPL residential customers in Iowa who are behind is $275, up 16.5 percent from last year's $236.