INDIANA — The Indiana Winter Moratorium expires today and could put many Hoosiers at risk of disconnection.
The statewide federally funded program took effect on December 1, 2022. The program impacted utility customers including nearly 900,000 Duke Energy customers. The program was to protect vulnerable customers from disconnection during the coldest months of the year.
Angeline Protogere, a spokesperson for Duke Energy, reports households are still obligated to pay their bills, and customers who still may struggle to pay their debt can apply for a new program.
“If you’re a Duke Energy customer, you’re coming out of the moratorium and you’re a part of this federally funded energy assistance program, we will automatically enroll you on a six-month interest-free payment plan if you have a balance due that is greater than $50,” Protogere added.
The power company will provide $300,000 in assistance funds through the statewide community action agencies, known as “Share the Light.”
Duke Energy has asked the state utility regulators to approve a 16 percent rate decrease for the months of April, May, and June after soaring fuel costs in 2022 have stabilized. Protegere says this would save an average customer about $26 a month.
According to Protegere, the most important thing a Duke customer can do if they are struggling to pay their electric bill is to Duke Energy directly.
