For Release: 04/27/2009

Some Michigan Gas Utilities Customers May Face Natural Gas Disconnection Soon

With warmer weather and end-of-winter period, customers with unpaid balances could lose service

Monroe, MI – Natural gas customers of Michigan Gas Utilities who have fallen behind on their natural gas bills and not made apparent attempts to catch up will face disconnection of service, according to company representatives.

“Those customers that have made efforts to pay over the winter or have worked out a payment arrangement with us shouldn’t be concerned,” said MGU president Chuck Cloninger. “However, customers who have neglected to make significant payments during the winter and who expect the company to give them additional time to bring their account current could face disconnection, especially those customers who ignore their winter bill year after year.”

Cloninger said that those customers with past-due balances should immediately take steps to pay the bill in full or set up a payment arrangement. Customers who owe less than $400 may do so either by calling customer service at 800-401-6402 to use the interactive voice response system, or by visiting the company website to make a payment or set up arrangements at www.michigangasutilities.com.

Customers with unpaid balances of $400 or more must call the 24-hour customer service line and speak with a representative.

Low-income customers should also contact local agencies for assistance that might postpone disconnection before those funds are depleted. The names of the agencies and their telephone numbers can be found on Michigan Gas Utilities’ web site, calling the customer service line, or dialing 211 United Way’s Help Hotline.

“Customers will find we offer options for payment; but the larger the balance, the larger those payments need to be,” Cloninger said. “If there are extenuating circumstances that can be documented, we need to know about them.”

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