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June 25, 2005
Cold Weather Rule
Attorney General steps up for those left out in the cold
Attorney General Mike Hatch seeks to impose a five million dollar fine on Center Point Energy, accusing the power company of violating the state’s cold weather rule by leaving over two thousand of its customers without heat last winter. The cold weather rule is designed for those suffering financial hardships to apply for government funds to help them cover their utility bills. People applying for the aid must provide proof of income and/or disability. Once approved, the government covers all or a portion of the consumer’s utilities and the customer agrees to a payment plan. Hatch alleges that for thousands of these customers in need, Center Point took the money and ran.
The cold weather rule is an important law to have in place. For some of the elderly, disabled, or those who have children with medical needs, the peace of mind that comes with knowing that there will be heat or air conditioning, electricity and water is invaluable. One such person featured in this article is Rebekah miller. Rebekah applied and qualified for assistance under the cold weather rule in October of 2004 for her past due bills, but her heat wasn’t turned back on for two months. The pipes in Rebekah’s mobile home froze and she had no running water. She can’t afford to repair the damage, nor can she occupy her home or even sell it, but she still has to make the payments on it. Hatch wants Center Point to reimburse customers for damages caused by their delay in returning heat to cold weather rule customers.
Comments
I feel that if Center Point Energy just took government aid and still turned off people’s heat that they should be sued. I am glad that Mike Hatch is doing something about this. Maybe next time companies will think before they try to screw people over.
Posted by: Chuck at June 26, 2005 5:25 PM