With temperatures at record levels, people are using more electricity than normal. That’s why Alabama Power worked with the Alabama Public Service Commission to launch “Heat Relief,” an initiative designed to assist customers who may be struggling to pay their electricity bills during this extraordinarily hot summer.

“We understand that during these difficult times, many people are having trouble making ends meet. And this summer’s heat is making it even more difficult,” said Charles McCrary, Alabama Power president and CEO. “We want to do what we can to help our customers, and we want them to know what services we can provide to assist them through these tough summer months.”

As part of the Heat Relief initiative, Alabama Power is:

• Asking customers who are having trouble paying for electricity to call Customer Service or come into an Alabama Power business office.  Whenever possible, the company will try to work out a plan to help customers in need with their summer bills. 
• Providing funds to nonprofit organizations to help them assist individuals and families with utility payments.
• Working with local community action agencies in their efforts to assist those who need help with their power bill.  
• Promoting Project SHARE, which assists eligible seniors and persons with disabilities with their utility bills.
• Providing customers with energy-saving tips that can help them use less electricity and save money.
   

Over the past year, Alabama Power has reduced residential electricity rates by almost 8 percent. Unfortunately, the extremely hot weather means customers are using more electricity to stay cool. So while the rate they’re paying this summer is lower, customers are still seeing higher bills.

“We know people will see lower bills when it cools down in the fall,” McCrary said. “But we also understand that they need relief now, while it’s still hot.”

One way for customers to smooth out the seasonal fluctuations in their electricity bill is to sign up for Budget Billing. The free service lets customers pay an averaged bill each month, based on their annual usage. Budget billing is especially helpful for people on fixed incomes who want the assurance that their electric bill will be about the same each month. For more information about Budget Billing, call Alabama Power’s 24-hour Customer Service line at 1-800-245-2244 or visit www.alabamapower.com.   

Alabama Power’s website is also a good place for customers to learn how to become more energy efficient. By making even small improvements to your home – such as replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, or installing weather stripping around doors and windows – customers can lower their electric bill. Customers can also go to www.alabamapower.com to complete an online Energy Check Up and receive a custom report with recommendations about how to save on energy around the home.  If they prefer, customers can call Customer Service and request a free brochure filled with energy-saving tips that can be mailed to their home.

To learn more about how Alabama Power can help you save on energy, call the Customer Service line at 1-800-245-2244 or go online to www.alabamapower.com. For more information about local community action agencies, visit the Community Action Association of Alabama website at www.caaalabama.org. For more information about Project SHARE, contact your local American Red Cross office. 

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), provides electricity to more than 1.4 million customers across the state.

News Media Contact:  Pat Wylie, 205-257-4155