[ Originally published on: Thursday, March 19, 2009 ]
SPRINGFIELD -- Western Massachusetts Electric Co. has announced that the Winter Protection Program for the 2008-2009 heating season will end on May 1, an extension from the March 15 scheduled end date.
WMECO customers with an outstanding balance who do not have a current payment arrangement with WMECO should call as soon as possible to avoid the risk of service termination.
WMECO works with more than 20,000 income-eligible customers each year to help them avoid electricity shutoff for nonpayment. Customers are urged to call the company's Credit & Collections Center at (800) 286-2828 to make payment arrangements.
Along with the Winter Protection Plan, WMECO offers many other programs to help all customers manage their energy costs throughout the year. Some of the programs it offers are:
u MassSAVE -- An energy audit program for WMECO customers who heat their homes with electricity, oil or propane (customers heating with natural gas are eligible through their gas distribution company).
This program offers a no-cost and no-obligation home energy assessment to identify measures to make your home more efficient, rebates up to 75 percent (limit $2,000) of the cost to install corrective measures, such as insulation and air sealing or interest-free financing (limit $10,000) to complete more extensive measures, such as heating system replacement. For more information, call 1-800-666-3303 or visit:
www.masssave.com or .
u Energy Bucks -- A statewide marketing campaign which directs income-eligible customers to their local Community Action Agency to apply for fuel assistance, utility discounts and weatherization services. Referrals can be made for enrollment in utility arrearage management programs. For more information, go to www.energybucks.com or call 1-866-537-7267.
u Good Neighbor Energy Fund -- Administered by the Salvation Army and funded in part by WMECO; qualifying customers receive assistance up to $300 per heating season for households who are in financial difficulty but do not qualify for government aid paid directly to their energy provider. For more information on how you can apply, call 1-800-262-1320 or visit:
www.magoodneighbor.org.
u NUStart -- WMECO's program to help income-eligible customers with outstanding balances pay their bill and keep their power connected. We work with customers to analyze yearly electric usage and create a monthly budget. Each month the budget amount is paid on time, WMECO forgives a portion of the old balance. For more information about this program, call 1-800-286-5844 or visit www.wmeco.com.
u ENERGY STAR Lighting Discounts -- WMECO partners with manufacturers and local retailers to offer a reduced price on ENERGY STAR qualified lighting products. Look for these savings at your participating hardware or ''do-it-yourself'' store or supermarkets such as Big Y, Stop & Shop or Whole Foods.
WMECO customers are also able to purchase energy-efficient lighting from an online version of the ENERGY STAR Lights Catalog where a variety of products are sold at reduced prices. For more information, visit www.myenergystar.com or call 1-877-378-2748.
u Residential Discount -- WMECO provides a Residential Discount rate for income-eligible residential customers of record whose verified household income does not exceed 60 percent of the estimated state median income. For more information, log on to www.wmeco.com or contact WMECO's Customer Service Center at 1-800-286-2000.
Controlling electric usage is the best way to lower energy costs. For energy-conservation tips to save money and energy, log on to www.wmeco.com and click on the ''Save Energy'' link under ''For Your Home.''