Power Struggles Colder Winter, Rising Prices Have Some Falling Behind, But Tips, Assistance Available

When Rhoda Manz heard knocking at her door earlier this month, she was reluctant to answer. She had a feeling it might have something to do with an unpaid bill.

She was right.

A few minutes later, a Modern Electric and Water Co. worker disconnected Manz’s power for nonpayment, leaving the disabled 35-year-old Spokane Valley resident, who lives on $636 a month from Social Security, without heat or lights.

Colder than usual winter weather and the rising cost of heating sources have forced Manz and others to make some difficult decisions this winter. People on fixed incomes often cannot afford to adjust thermostats because they are already juggling bills, rent and many times medications. That sort of juggling act is what caused Manz to fall two months behind on her electricity bill.

Safety nets are in place for Valley residents who need help paying their power bill or filling oil tanks. But some don’t know how to get such help. Others fail to communicate their problem to the utility serving them.

Most problems result from customers falling behind, then avoiding bills and late-notice reminders, and not contacting the power company to explain their situation, said Kris Mikkelsen, general manager of Inland Power and Light Co. Mikkelsen said utilities don’t want to disconnect anyone’s power.

“Call us up. Let us find you a solution,” she said. “Just don’t sit there and watch the mail from us pile up.”

The Spokane Valley Community Center helps low-income Valley families deal with all kinds of problems. Executive Director Mollie Dalpae said the center’s staff can also help work out a solution.

“Utilities don’t charge a sliding fee, so (low-income) families pay as much as everybody else,” Dalpae said. That means an increase in home heating costs can be especially painful to a poor family’s budget.

Valley Center will sometimes intervene for people having a problem paying their utility bill. Candy May, who has worked at the center since February, said she often calls a utility to let them know a payment is late but on its way. May said she has never had a utility shut off power after she has called to explain the situation.

One of the Valley Center’s programs gives people on fixed incomes money to help pay power and heating bills.

An agency all Valley utilities say they point customers to is Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs, or SNAP.

SNAP has two programs for people in need. One is an energy-assistance program funded by the federal government that credits utility customer accounts. The other is Project Share, which allows utility customers to contribute to an emergency fund for people whose power is about to be shut off.

This winter SNAP has burned through $14,000 a week. What is left in the fund is expected to run out by next week, said Julie Graham, resource development coordinator.

“We’ve spent more here this winter than I can remember and I’ve been here for six winters,” she said.

The drain of funds is directly connected to the two-pronged attack of bitter temperatures and the rising cost of natural gas, Graham said.

Modern Electric, Inland Power and Vera Water and Power Co. will not raise electricity rates this winter because all have signed contracts with Bonneville Power Administration.

Gary McLaughlin, president of Banner Furnace and Fuel said people have not been burning much more oil to heat homes this year. Even though the price of oil increased last month from $1.20 to $1.60 a gallon, Banner has been filling tanks on par with past winters.

Turning off a customer’s power is never easy but can be easily avoided with clear communication, said Mike Baker general manager of Modern Electric.

“I think the key is communication,” he said. “If they don’t call us, we assume they are going to pay.”

Modern turned off Manz’s power only after sending her several reminders and hearing nothing.

Manz admitted she usually waits to pay her power bill until receiving Modern Electric’s final notice, which she calls “the pink slip.”

Manz said she suffers from fibromyalgia, Raynaud’s disease, clinical depression and various other ailments, and that she takes seven different medications when she can afford them.

Baker said he sympathizes with Manz’s situation, but suggested she seek some assistance rather than putting off paying her bill.

Manz said she turned to the Valley Center once for help paying a bill and does not want to ask for assistance again.

“They helped me once but I don’t want to make a habit of that,” she said. “I want to pay my own bills.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: For assistance

People having problems paying winter utility bills can find help by calling one of these numbers:

* SNAP: 456-7110

* Spokane Valley Center: 927-1153

* Volunteers of America: 624-2378

* St. Vincent DePaul: 534-2824

* Salvation Army: 325-6821

* Love Church Services: 327-5359