We hope that today’s “READERS FORUM” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?

WHAT”S ON YOUR MIND TODAY?

Todays“Readers Poll” question is: Are you disappointed that not one City Council member made a request to the City Controller to give them a detailed financial accounting of the Evansville Thunderbolts?

Please go to our link of our media partner Channel 44 News located in the upper right-hand corner of the City-County Observer so you can get the up-to-date news, weather, and sports. We are pleased to provide obituaries from several area funeral homes at no costs.  Over the next several weeks we shall be adding additional obituaries from other local funeral homes.  Please scroll down the paper and you shall see a listing of them.

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FOOTNOTE:  Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.

Vectren Urges Customers To Evaluate Billing And Payment OptionsWinter Rules (Expire March 15, 2019)

Evansville, Ind.  – As the end of the winter heating season approaches, Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana (Vectren), a CenterPoint Energy company, wants to remind customers that the regulatory moratorium, which prevents energy companies from disconnecting customers who meet low-income guidelines and have received federal and state utility heating assistance, will expire on Friday, March 15.

Customers who have received a disconnect notice or need bill payment assistance are urged to contact Vectren online at Vectren.com or call 1-800-227-1376 to make payment arrangements and avoid potential disconnection.

“Due to the bitter cold temperatures we experienced at the beginning of this year, some customers may find themselves behind on their bill payments,” said Lynnae Wilson, chief business officer, Indiana electric. “As part of our commitment to our customers, we have programs and payment options to help them manage costs.”

Customers can choose from the following free Vectren billing and payment options, as well as energy-efficiency programs:

Payment Arrangement: Customers who are having difficulty paying bills in full can request a payment arrangement to fulfill the obligation in smaller increments over a set period of time. Eligible customers can request a payment arrangement by calling 1-800-227-1376.

• Energy Assistance Program (EAP):  State and federal utility assistance dollars are still available for income-eligible customers. Customers who fall below 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines ($37,650 for a family of four), should visit their local service provider to sign up for EAP. Visit ihcda.in.gov to locate the local service provider.
• Universal Service Program: Natural gas customers who qualify for EAP will be automatically enrolled in the Universal Service Program (USP). The USP provides a discount on natural gas bills for eligible low-income customers from December through May. Discounts are not applied retroactively.
• Energy-efficiency Resources: Vectren has a wide offering of energy-efficiency programs for customers, which can be found at www.vectren.com/saveenergy. Customers are also encouraged to apply for all residential (home ownership or rental) weatherization programs, including programs available through the local service provider.

About CenterPoint Energy

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is an energy delivery company with regulated utility businesses in eight states and a competitive energy businesses footprint in nearly 40 states. Through its electric transmission & distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution businesses, the company serves more than 7 million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas. CenterPoint Energy’s competitive energy businesses include natural gas marketing and energy-related services; energy efficiency, sustainability, and infrastructure modernization solutions; and construction and repair services for pipeline systems, primarily natural gas. The company also owns 54.0 percent of the common units representing limited partner interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP, a publicly traded master limited partnership that owns, operates and develops strategically located natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets. With approximately 14,000 employees and nearly $29 billion in assets, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.