Utility providers are helping customers with utility bills amid hotter temps

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – With hotter summer temperatures among us, it can lead many to see a higher utility bill. Xcel Energy and Atmos Energy are working to help their customers with these higher bills.

Xcel Energy Spokesman Wes Reeves said that their customers’ electricity costs have decreased, but in months with higher temperatures, customers may not see that.

“The more wind energy we bring on, the lower those fuel costs are, but definitely the lower cost for natural gas in the last few months, has helped bring down the overall cost of making electricity. And those those savings are passed along to the customers,” said Reeves.” “But again, when we have these, times of year when we just use a lot of electricity, primarily for air conditioning, more than anything else, it can tend to run that bill up.”

Reeves said that during this time Xcel Energy wants to remind their customers that they are here to help.

“If you get a bill you don’t think you can pay, or you’re falling behind. Go ahead and give us a call, because we’re flexible, and we can work with you on payment arrangements. We know there are folks in the community who have suffered other hardships that may not have the money at all to pay a bill at this point,” said Reeves. “So, we want to work with those customers, and we have personal account representatives that will work with groups within the community who provide funding for that type of thing.”

Xcel Energy customers are asked to call 1-800-895-4999 or visit Xcel Energy’s website, so they can get help with their bill.

“We also have, through our customer app, there is now a new feature for you to go in and set up payment arrangements or apply for assistance. And so that’s an easy way to do it, because sometimes when we’re in those conditions, these things happen to us,” said Reeves. “It’s hard to talk to someone and tell them, hey, I’m kind of in trouble. I need some help. So the app is really helpful, where you can kind of review what we have available, and you can make this first steps that way.”

One community group that is working to help pay utility bills for Atmos Energy is the Panhandle Community Services.

“When we’re awarded funds from TDHCA, which stands for Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, we offer utility assistance. By assisting the public, we offer different ways to apply. We try to be creative and try to be available to go to the public, or have the public come to us,” said Panhandle Community Services Energy Assistance Director Christina Cristan. “The second measure that we try to assist folks is by applying through our website or calling a toll-free number to schedule an appointment.”

The toll-free number to call is 855-459-3716.

Cristan added that all of the community groups are working together so they can help as many in the community as possible;e.

“I know that it’s difficult. These are real stories, real folks with real struggles, and as community partners, not just with Atmos Energy, but two in one and other local resources are available. We’re all having constant conversations on, how can we stretch our dollars,” Cristan explained. “Because all the dollars are basically minimal, and although we would love to just throw away all the regulations and just help anybody and everybody, the unfortunate thing is, you know, to try to stretch that dollar.”

Atmos Energy offers payment arrangements for their customers but they also offer a way for their customers to help others.

“So they get a customer bill. Usually, you have an option to, like, round up to the nearest dollar. Or you can have a direct contribution of more than that, you know, 5, 10, $15 whatever the case may be,” said Atmos Energy Public Affairs Manager Micheal Gonzalez.

Atmos Energy customers who need help with their bill are asked to call 888-286-6700 or visit here.

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