Credit Counselor’s customer service praised

On Dec. 10 Jeanette Bethany, Credit Counselor at the Lamar Community Office, received 11 compliments in one day due to her outstanding service. We applaud Jeanette for her excellent customer service and willingness to assist. Some of the commendations she received include:

MLGW services were great. They helped me quickly and calmly. They were nice and productive.

Great service.

Truly thankful for meeting this young lady for helping me with my services today. She is a really special person on the MLGW team.

I really appreciate Ms. Bethany for helping me through my hard times. She is really a big help. Love her.

I love MLGW here.

J. Bethany gave me good service. She is a very nice young lady.

I was treated very nicely and I was pleased with it.

I came into the office and asked for help on my bill. She helped setup a payment arrangement suitable for my income.

I really appreciate my rep today. She is very sweet and had a good attitude. I love her attitude.

She worked and handled my situation very well on my behalf. I had shown effort and willingness to pay. There was an error and she found it and got my lights back on with same day service.

Plus-1 donations on MLGW bill for tax purposes

If you have donated to Plus-1 during the past year, your January or February MLGW bill will list the total of your 2014 contributions for tax purposes. MIFA, which administers the Plus-1 program, is a non-profit corporation under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and contributions are tax deductible to the extent the law allows. For more information, visit plus1memphis.org.

Conservation Days

Mark your calendars! Conservation Days will be held at all MLGW Community Offices from 9-11am on the following Thursdays: January 22, February 26, and March 19! Stop by for a free energy conservation kit!

TVA has issued a Power Supply Alert for MLGW Customers

A Power Supply Alert has been issued for all customers in the Tennessee Valley, which includes all MLGW customers. Due to an arctic cold front moving through our service area today with temperatures falling into the teens, TVA asks that all customers reduce any non-essential electricity use during peak hours today. Peak hours begin at 5 p.m.

Customers can reduce their power consumption and lower their utility bills by:

• Turning down the thermostat (for customers with electric heating). Lowering the temperature just one degree can result in a savings of up to four percent.

• Delay using electric appliances such as dishwashers, electric dryers and electric cooking appliances.

• Turn off non-essential lights, appliances and electronics. To stay warm, customers are reminded to bundle up while inside and outside.

While inside, customers can:

• Wear layered clothing and thick socks to keep warm.

• Close garage doors, cover foundation vents, and close off vents and doors to seldom-used rooms.

• Place rolled-up towels inside against bottom of exterior doors and window sills to block cold air from coming inside.

MLGW is also reducing its own power use in all of its facilities by reducing lighting and taking other steps to reduce overall electricity consumption.

Tax Incentives Extended

Several tax incentives were extended as part of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014, also known as the “tax extenders package,” passed on December 19, 2014. Qualification levels from 2013 were not changed. The following energy efficiency measures are eligible for these incentives, if installed by December 31, 2014:

1. Residential energy efficiency improvements including: Windows, insulation, air sealing homes and duct sealing; Air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces and water heaters.

2. Energy efficient new and retrofitted commercial buildings;

The new Congress will have to decide whether to extend these again to cover 2015. We will post updates on our website if there are any updates or changes.

These other four incentives remain in place and unchanged from the prior law:

1. Plug-in electric drive vehicles scheduled to extend until 12/31/16
2. Combined heat and power systems scheduled to extend until 12/31/16
3. On-site renewable energy systems including ground-source heat pumps, scheduled to extend until 12/31/16
4. Fuel cells and microturbines scheduled to extend until 12/31/16

For more info, visit: http://www.energytaxincentives.org/

Angel Tree Donations

Once again, MLGW employees came through to make Christmas a little merrier for the Salvation Army Angels.

$3.9 Million Energy Efficiency Grant Announced

Today, MLGW, Habitat for Humanity and Service Over Self announced the receipt of a $3.9 million grant from the Plough Foundation that will enable 500 low income families to be eligible for up $15,000 in energy efficiency and other repairs that they will not have to repay. The grant work begins in March 2015.