Utilities cut off electricity as more customers fail to pay bills

As the economy worsens, an increasing number of people around Tampa Bay are having their lights cut off because they can't pay their bills.

Tampa Electric has had to cut off 27 percent more customers than it did a year ago, said spokesman Rick Morera. Progress Energy has seen cutoffs jump by 15 percent since last year, said spokesman Cherie Jacobs.

"With any situation where somebody is experiencing difficulties making their utility payments, we encourage them to contact the company and work with us," Morera said.

"Disconnecting someone's electricity is Progress Energy's last resort," Jacobs said. "We prefer to work with customers so if folks are having trouble making ends meet, they should call us."

If you're having trouble paying your power bill, there is help.

To reach Tampa Electric customer service, call (813) 223-0800. Progress Energy's customer service department can be reached at (800) 700-8744.

-Asjylyn Loder, Times Staff Writer

[Photo: Bill Serne]

Comments

[Al]

I guess when the people die of heat stroke they won't be problem customers.

There should be a law that electricity be provided during the summer to provide air conditioning for those having difficult financial times.

Are we a Christian Nation or only on Sundays.?

It's all about the money, screw the customers.

[Fatso]

Wait, times will get worse. In the end, I will be the one saying "I told you so (while smoking a fat Cohiba cigar with thousand watt light bulbs burning and AC directed towards me at all directions)."

[steve oneal]

My wife pays the bills on line and has it so that the bills flag 3 days before due. Teco just made us pay a $480.00 deposit. They said that we were late 5 out of 12 payments and since we had no deposit we had to pay one. After 10 payments in a row on time we will get deposit credited back to our account. My wife's records show 1 late payment while she was out of country. And she made that and current payment when she got back. TECO said sorry but there is nothing we can do. Fortunately we can afford deposit. I will be paying the next 10 months with cash(pennies). And they will be 1 week early and i will ask for receipt with dates.

Sad state of affirs we live in and all because of gas prices.

[mikes]

Using an online bill pay service is great, but you need to heed the lag time that they warn you about. Paying with pennies seems like a pain for you too. Seems childish. You and your wife messed up; so deal with it in an adult manner. People like you keep our rates higher by causing our utilities to do extra work.

"Disconnecting someone's electricity is Progress Energy's last resort," Jacobs said. "We prefer to work with customers so if folks are having trouble making ends meet, they should call us."

Why the rage at the Power Company? I agree that requiring a deposit is a bit counterproductive to affording next months' payment..but I'd believe their payment accounting... and 5/12 is close to half the year late. Ask them to work with you by waiving the deposit requirement - and establish direct debit payments. and... pay bills early, rather than late. It's cheaper.

[Liz]

I'm sure Progress Energy is seeing the same increases.

They are ruthless, blood-sucking, vampires. I once asked them to extend my bill for 3 days more to when I received my Soc. Security check. They would not.

Ever try to get them to trim a tree that is resting on one of their wires?

I still have a rut in my yard 2' deep where one of their vehicles sank into the mud. Think they have done anything about it? ah ha ha ha, ah ha ha ha

[Do you still love your McMansion and SUV?]

I love it...everyone's in a house they can't afford and now they can't even afford to keep the lights on.
I purchased a relatively small house...one that I can afford. Even while putting nearly $450 of gas in my family's cars every month, I have enough to make ends meet and then some.
Next year, I'll be buying a bigger house, maybe yours, for a great price at a foreclosure auction.

[May]

I was struggling to pay my electric bills (who doesn't?).

I asked to be placed on the Budget Plan where you payments are the same year round.

They would not do so because I had been late with payments.

Uh, does this make sense to you?
The only people who can be put on a
budget plan are those who don't need it?

[Lindzy]

Other communities throughout the nation will not cut off your electric power if it would seriously compromise your health.

A Dr's written statement is required.

I wonder if our friends at our Tampa Bay Electric companies have such a plan.

I seriously doubt it.........

[Elizabeth]

What can we do? Take our business somewhere else? Oh, puleese.

I thought monopolies were outlawed in the United States?

I would like Tampa Electric and Progress Energy to print in the St. Pete Times

HOW MUCH THEIR CEO'S were paid last year!

[At The Mercy of Technology]

I'm on a medically prescribed breathing device. I was given a stern warning by Withlacoochee River Electric (Ms. Prissy at the desk) that they'd pull the plug on my power if I was a minute late paying up.

[Ready to Fight!]

Progress Energy is full of crap. They don't work with you once your late a few times. They do not care if you have problems. They will shut you off. We are all screwed until we can be off the grid in a self supporting house. I really hate those people that talk like that in others hard times, when it comes down to it they are usually in the same boat if not worse. It's only a matter of time til we can produce our own electric and not rely on the illeagel monopolies

[steve oneal]

Hey Mikes, We have lived at this house over 22yrs. We built this house and didn't have a deposit because of our payment history. My wife's bank records support my statement. Teco said it did not matter. WE HAD THE REQUIRED 3 DAY LAG TIME REQUIRED BY TECO and the online pay source used.WE WERE NOT LATE MORE THAN ONCE. What extra work did they do other than send us a bill for $480. They don't waive deposits and they don't give extensions or let you pay deposits over time. We make our payments and have for over 22yrs. We paid deposit and will pay the bills as we always do, only way early not when due. Our situation is not a matter of financial ability. We make well above the average median income for the area. We have money in the bank. It is about what is right. TECO is wrong and I can pay my bill in any form of legal US tender(PENNIES) as I choose. By the way, Teco does have a program for people that have medical equipment and if registered with them they will not cut off power. My father worked for TECO 41yrs, but it is not the same company it used to be.

Tallahassee has the highest utility rates in the state and is comprised primarily of state employees - the least paid in the nation. Today's temp was 97 degrees and I can't afford to turn on the AC. Thank you Republicans and City of Tallahassee.

[Jamie]

Even if you can't afford central AC there are units you can buy which will at least cool one room. It's economical and your bill will be very low.

[Jamie]

I don't mean ac units that go into the windows, I mean portable air conditioners that have a small exhaust to the outside...they run about $500 and have timers on them. Your bill will be about $60 a month. Turn off the lights, run the fans not the AC when you are not home.

[brad]

I believe if you can not pay you should not be getting free electricity .I think oil hit $140.00 a barrel today ,that is less money we will be exporting to Saudi Arabia ,people should cut back on a/c .So go out and get a job ,or move the hell out Florida if it is to hot.

[steve oneal]

Do we buy coal from Saudi Arabia? That is what TECO burns to make electricity. It is what most power companies use to make electricity. The only person on here that mentioned not working was on social security.

[al]

When did TECO or any other company become a charity? People have got to get a grip, power can be very cheap, if you are spending more than 100-150 month, turn up the dial or shut up.

[Raymond]

the truth about the oil problems

Ok people here it is all the truth you can handle. its about 40 min long, but start at 29 min and that's where they are really getting into the nuts and bolts of the problem. you see your being lied to and here is the proof.

http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&products_id=206134-1&showVid=true

[Little Pharaoh]

If electric goes any higher, it'll be cheaper to hire a guy full time to fan a palm leaf.

[Mike Creyton]

Man there are some serious socialists on here. If you can't pay for electricity, then you should get it for free? WTF? So companies should just provide free service?