I&M creates Neighbor to Neighbor Program to help troubled customers pay bills, weatherize

Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) launched a new program this season to help customers pay their energy bills and weatherize their homes, with funds both from the company and with the assistance of other interested customers.

It is called the Neighbor to Neighbor Program, and to qualify customers must meet the eligibility guidelines of the Home Energy Assistance Program, among others. Various agencies will be available for customers to apply through, however, which agencies have yet to be announced.

On the giving part of the program, I&M kicked things off with a $50,000 contribution. Other customers will have the option to contribute as well on their bills. A simple checkbox and a notation of contribution amount is all customers will require to make a tax-deductible contribution to the program.

“I&M constantly looks for ways to best serve our customers, and this is just one more option to help customers who are having difficulty paying their bills as well as those who want a simple way to help others,” Toby Thomas, I&M president and COO, said.

The program was approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, as part of I&M’s Building the Future regulatory rate review.