February CPS Energy will be released soon; excessive costs due to winter storms not included

SAN ANTONIO CPS Energy customers are not expected to see huge additional fuel or purchased power charges from the winter storm when the February 2021 bills are released starting Monday.

“CPS Energy is currently assessing the validity of the additional fuel and purchased power costs of the winter storm and is not currently passing it on to customers,” reads a news release.

Paula Gold-Williams, CEO of CPS Energy, told trustees at a special meeting on Monday afternoon that CPS “accumulates” costs, but she estimates that natural gas suppliers want $ 800 million for fuel they sold to CPS during the crisis, and the state’s electricity operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), wants an extra $ 200 million. Gold-Williams said CPS will seek regulatory assistance and assistance from elected officials to prevent customers from having the burden.

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The utility suspended the invoice for customers on February 19 to confirm that the energy bills do not currently include any rate changes or fuel adjustment costs associated with the winter storm, and to ensure that invoice usage is based on actual meter reading and not estimates.

Electronic and paper bills will be released on Monday. Depending on a customer’s invoice, it may take up to Saturday, March 13th, before the customer’s delayed invoice is sent. As a result, customers can receive their February account near their March account.

The utility said a team of energy advisors is ready to work with clients to discuss their bills and to help arrange payments. No late fees are charged to customers for their February accounts or if a customer has a payment plan, the news release reads.

The utility said it is also reviewing the accounts of customers worst affected by the extreme winter storm in February 2021 and expecting to offer useful credits in those cases. The credit plan of the company will be announced within the next 30 to 45 days.

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“We know our community is concerned about their accounts, and we want them to know that we are here to help and protect them. We assure customers that their February bills are accurate and currently do not include extreme weather-related fuel and purchased power expenses, ”said Gold-Williams. “While we must and will pay all justified and legal business costs, our CPS Energy team will continue to fight to maintain our commitment to affordability.”

AutoPay was re-launched on February 26th. Customers wishing to discontinue automatic payments can cancel AutoPay by managing my account or by calling 210-353-6110.

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