Business : Convenient self-service options are among the available choices for customers

Interstate Power and Light Company, an Alliant Energy company, encourages customers who are not current on their utility bills to take advantage of payment options now, before the moratorium on shut offs ends April 1.

“We understand our customers find many different demands placed on them in today’s environment,” said Tim Heinrich, Alliant Energy. “We want customers to know we offer payment options to help them stay current on their utility bill.”

Due to the significant call volume that occurs this time of year, Alliant Energy reminds customers the fastest way to pay their bill is through our self-service options at alliantenergy.com/paymybill or:

• Online payment – All you need to make an instant online payment is your Alliant Energy utility account number and your bank account information. Go to alliantenergy.com/paymybill.
• Pay by phone – Call 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) and follow the instructions in the interactive system. Have your Alliant Energy utility account number and your bank account information handy.
• Auto Pay – You can have your utility bill automatically deducted from your bank account every month. You can enroll through the Your Account site at alliantenergy.com/youraccount.
• Paperless Billing – Allows you to receive, review and pay your bill online. You can enroll through the Your Account site atalliantenergy.com/youraccount.
• Budget Billing – Budget Billing spreads your energy costs evenly over a 12-month period. Alliant Energy calculates your average bill based on your current account balance, current fuel costs, anticipated fuel cost changes and the past 12 months of energy usage at your home. The budget bill amount is reviewed and adjusted, up or down, every six months. You can enroll through the Your Account site at alliantenergy.com/youraccount.
• Western Union® Convenience Pay® – For just $1.00 you can pay your Alliant Energy utility bill with cash, check or money order at any Western Union® Convenience Pay® location. To find the nearest Convenience Pay location, call 1-800-551-8001.
• Western Union® Speedpay® – Call 1-877-429-4126 or visit alliantenergy.com/paymybill to pay using your credit card or checking account. Western Union® does charge a transaction fee for this service.

If you want to speak to someone, call 1-800-255-4268 for a customer service representative. Since this is a busy time of year, Alliant Energy encourages you to use the call back technology if you experience a wait when calling. This allows us to call you back automatically when it is your turn.

It’s important to remember that energy assistance funds are still available for qualified individuals and families through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

To obtain energy assistance, qualified utility customers can apply for LIHEAP funds until April 30, 2011. To apply for LIHEAP funds, contact your local community action agency or visit www.dcaa.iowa.gov and click on “Bureau of Energy Assistance.”

Alliant Energy is an energy-services provider with subsidiaries serving approximately 1 million electric and over 400,000 natural gas customers. Providing its customers in the Midwest with regulated electric and natural gas service is the company’s primary focus. Interstate Power and Light, the company's Iowa utility subsidiary, serves approximately 530,000 electric and 235,000 natural gas customers. Alliant Energy, headquartered in Madison, Wis., is a Fortune 1000 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LNT. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.alliantenergy.com.