Making the Connection Newsletter – Spring/Summer 2022

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

In an effort to reduce tree-related power outages, increase system reliability and reduce customer power outages, Alpena Power Company has an aggressive Vegetation Management Program. Our goal is to clear approxi- mately 20% of our power lines each year. This trimming cycle ensures that all lines on our system are cleared of potentially troublesome trees over each 5 year period.

When trimming distribution lines, our policy is to trim to 15′ on either side of the line. When trimming transmission lines we trim 25’-50′ on either side of the line depending on the line voltage. We contract tree trimming professionals. If you are not sure who is on your property trimming trees, please ask to see identification.

If there is a tree on your property interfering with Alpena Power Company power lines or if you have questions about our Vegetation Management Program, please call: 358-4941 or Toll Free: 866-358-4900

The main Vegetation Management areas for 2022 include:

• Hubbard Lake Rd area South of Beaver Lake Rd
• Area between Thunder Bay Ave and Michigan Ave

STORM CLEAN UP

During and after storms, our crews work to trim and/or remove any tree that is interfering with power restoration. It is the property owner’s responsibility to clean up trees or debris left on their property following emergency tree trimming or removal.

STORM PREPAREDNESS

• Emergency preparedness kits should include flashlights, batteries, cash, first aid supplies and cell phone charging devices that are fully charged.
• Know where the manual release for electric garage door openers is located and how to use
• Keep your car’s gas tank full, gas stations rely on electricity to power their
• If you rely on anything that is power dependent like a medical device determine a back-up
• Keep refrigerators and freezers closed; food can stay cold for approximately 4 hours in a fridge or 24 hours in a freezer.
• Stay away from downed power
• Visit https://ready.gov for information and tips on disasters and

PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS AND ASSISTANCE

We encourage anyone who is having difficulty paying their power bill to contact Alpena Power Company’s collection department at 989-358-4900. We will gladly work with customers to make satisfactory payment arrangements. 2-1-1 is a free service for Northeast Michigan residents. It operates 24 hours a day and provides callers with information about state and local agencies who have energy assistance programs available, as well as programs for many other needs.

APC offers an Income Assistance Service Provision credit to residential customers whose total household income does not exceed 150% of the Federal Poverty level. If qualified, customers will receive a $5.00 credit per month for 12 months and must re-certify annually. Customers who receive assistance from a MEAP program, receive a home heating credit energy draft, or qualify for State Emergency Relief (SER) are automatically enrolled. Customers who haven’t received assistance, but receive Medicaid or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can request a low-income verification form to see if they qualify.

ENERGY SAVINGS INFORMATION

• Some of the biggest energy users in today’s homes are: window and central air conditioning units, electric heat, dehumidifiers, sump pumps, well pumps, electric hot water heaters and electric clothes dryers. Be aware of any issues with these devices and get them repaired or replaced. Running out of hot water to quick, check the hot water heater temperature and make sure it is working properly. Dripping faucets make well pumps run more, hot water drips cause electric hot water heaters to run more.
• Visit https://www.energy.gov for more information and tips on heating and cooling, weatherization, and
• Visit https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/estimating-appliance-and-home-electronic-energy-use to assist in calculating how much an appliance might cost to use.
• If you are replacing appliances or heating/cooling systems, or are just looking for energy savings information, be sure to visit https://www.efficiencyunited.com. Click on Alpena Power for your utility and see what rebates might be available for you.

CHANGES TO PAYMENT PLATFORM coming June 1, 2022

We are implementing new software that will give customers more options when it comes to paying their bill. The biggest change is online bill pay. Customers can go to www.alpenapower.com click on “pay my bill” and pay using their credit card or checking or savings account without having to set up an account. We will offer options to schedule a future payment, sign up for text messaging or email notifications, enroll in paperless billing, enroll in auto payments, text pay and more.