For Release: 04/10/2014

UPPCO May Accept Payment Arrangements to Keep Customers Electric Service On Arrangements must include a down payment based on the amount of arrears. Customers should act soon or making arrangements may be more difficult.

Ishpeming, MI - Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) reports that more than 2,600 of its 52,000 customers are four months or more behind on their utility bills. Those customers could face disconnection of their service soon unless they make payments or arrangements.

"This year, the number of customers past due is about the same but the amount they owe is slightly higher than last year," said Jodi Pineau, spokesperson for UPPCO. "We don't want to disconnect service to customers who are behind, but unless we come to an arrangement with them, disconnection is a good possibility."

UPPCO disconnected service to around 2,300 customers in 2013. "We owe it to our good-paying customers to be diligent in our efforts to collect," she said.

Pineau urged customers who are behind and have not yet contacted the utility to do so right away by calling (866) 215-5812. Waiting until near the end of the winter will make it more difficult to make arrangements to keep service on, she said. "Those customers who contact us early to make arrangements may find we're more flexible with payment options than those who wait," she said.

Customers who struggle with winter bills could choose the UPPCO Budget Billing program, in which they pay an average bill monthly rather than seasonal high and low bills. UPPCO also has electronic options for payment listed on its Website. Options include automatic monthly withdrawal from bank accounts, as well as one-time payments.

  • Jodi Pineau
    Customer Operations Supervisor
    906-485-2403
  • Media Hotline
    800-977-2250
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