Minnesota Power remains committed to helping customers as disconnections resume this summer
May 3, 2021
Press release translation: Spanish
Customers behind on their bills urged to contact company to set up payment plan
Duluth, Minn. — As state pandemic restrictions ease, Minnesota Power is ready to help residential and small business customers who fell behind on their energy bills because of economic challenges in the past year.
Minnesota Power worked with consumer advocates to develop a timeline for resuming service disconnections for nonpayment that was recently approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. According to the timeline, Minnesota Power will resume sending out disconnection notices in June. Customers will then have 60 days to work with Minnesota Power to set up a payment plan before service disconnections for nonpayment begin in August.
“Customers who faced financial hardship because of COVID-19 and weren’t able to pay their electric bill are encouraged to contact us to set up a payment plan before we resume disconnections in August,” said Tina Koecher, manager Customer Experience Operations. “We want to make sure customers have enough time to connect with available resources, explore options for managing their bill, and have a plan in place to avoid any disruption of service. Disconnection for customers who have past-due balances has always been a last resort. We’re here to help if you’re struggling.”
Late payment charges on past-due balances and fees for reconnection during normal business hours also will be waived through April 30, 2022, for residential and small business customers who establish and maintain a payment plan.
Energy Assistance Program dollars are available in Minnesota, including anticipated additional federal dollars through the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress in March. Eligible residential customers are encouraged to apply for assistance or refer a family member or friend to these financial resources. Even if customers have applied before, additional dollars may be available.
Customers can contact Minnesota Power at 800-228-4966 to set up a payment plan. Information about Energy Assistance Programs is available at https://mnpower.com/CustomerService/EnergyAssistance. Minnesota Power’s CARE program offers income-qualified households a discount on monthly electric bills. Learn more at https://mnpower.com/CustomerService/CAREProgram.
In March 2020 Minnesota Power voluntarily suspended residential and small business disconnections and waived late payment fees. Like other Minnesota utilities, the company now is transitioning to normal operations, including the resumption of collection activities.
Minnesota Power provides electric service within a 26,000-square-mile area in northeastern Minnesota, supporting comfort, security and quality of life for 150,000 customers, 14 municipalities and some of the largest industrial customers in the United States. More information can be found at www.mnpower.com.
The statements contained in this release and statements that ALLETE may make orally in connection with this release that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These forwardlooking statements involve risks and uncertainties and investors are directed to the risks discussed in documents filed by ALLETE with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
