Heat bill up to date? Winter moratorium starts Nov. 1

If bill isn’t, utilities don’t have to hook you up with heat

Energy companies can’t turn your heat off but they don’t have to hook you up, either.

The winter heating moratorium starts next Tuesday in Wisconsin. During which, utilities can’t disconnect you for being behind on your bills.

But, if you’re not up to date by Tuesday, they don’t have to turn your utilities on, either.

A problem for some every year, says Xcel Energy’s Chris Ouelette.

“We know that customers can face some challenging things during the winter,” Ouelette said. “Paying their electric and natural gas bills can be tough for some folks.”

The problem doesn’t occur for many customers. Those who fall into that category: “The best thing they can do is get in touch with us,” Ouelette said. “We want to provide the resources they need to make the payment arrangements.”

The company estimates two percent of its customers are far enough behind on their bills to not have power to heat with as the winter heating moratorium gets underway next Tuesday.  

“We do everything that we can to work with our customers – before, during, after,” Ouelette said. “It’s an ongoing process. It’s not just something we focus on as we head into the winter months.”

The winter heating moratorium ends on April 15.