New Consumers Energy Bill More Customer-Friendly, Includes Personalized Graph Showing Energy Use

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Aug 30, 2010, 06:30 ET

JACKSON, Mich., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy is introducing a new bill format in September that customers will find easier to understand and more informative than the previous format. Improved information flow on the bill will help customers use energy more efficiently and save money on their energy costs.

The bill now includes a graph showing personalized energy use over the past 13 months. That section allows customers to see their energy use per day, as well as the cost per day.

The new bill has a quick-glance feature for customers interested in their total charges and energy use. It also includes more detailed information for customers who prefer to see line-by-line descriptions of energy use charges.

"We've listened to our customers in re-designing our bill to give it a clearer, sharper look," said Tom O'Masta, executive manager of customer operations for Consumers Energy. "These changes are the first in nearly two decades as we increase our efforts to provide value to our customers."

An easy-to-read account number is highlighted to help aid customer contacts with Consumers Energy. Customer account numbers will not change as a result of the bill re-design. The more than 450,000 Consumers Energy customers who view their bill online also will see the new format.

The new bill does not change Consumers Energy's emergency contact number. Emergencies such as a natural gas leak, downed electric wire, fire or carbon monoxide incident should still be reported to the utility by calling (800) 477-5050 – option 1.

Bill payment options also remain the same. Customer payment options include online services, via mail or at a pay station. More information about the new bill format is available at: www.consumersenergy.com/aboutmybill.

Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and electricity to nearly 6.5 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, visit our website at www.consumersenergy.com.

SOURCE Consumers Energy