Special Reconnect Program Ends Today: Normal Operations Resume on Monday

As cooler weather returns to the Mid-South, Memphis Light Gas & Water’s Special Reconnect Program comes to an end. MLGW Community Offices will not be open this weekend. Normal operations will resume Monday, July 31.

The Deferred Billing Relaxed Rules Program will continue to be offered. For this program, the bill has to be more than $250 and the upfront money required is 25 percent of the money owed or $250, whichever is less. Additional conditions apply.

Eligible customers need to bring two forms of identification and payment to one of MLGW’s five community centers: 245 South Main Street, 2935 Lamar Avenue, 1111 East Shelby Drive, 2424 Summer Avenue or, in Millington, 5131 Navy Road.

Statement Regarding Environmental Working Group’s Report

MLGW has reviewed the report issued by the Environmental Working Group. Their report, which utilized MLGW’s data, confirms what we already knew and that is that we are blessed to have great drinking water. None of the numbers reported by the Environmental Working Group exceeds the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) maximum contaminant levels. MLGW conducts close to 40,000 tests on our drinking water each year to ensure that we are providing the highest quality water to our customers. Additionally, each year, MLGW issues a water quality report that summarizes the results of the thousands of tests we perform.

View our Water Quality Reports here.

MLGW urges customers to beware of scammers

Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division would like customers to be aware of the latest warning issued by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Rising temperatures often result in rising utility costs. 

Scammers use this opportunity to tempt consumers with the promise of lower utility payments.

How the Scam Works:

Customers get a call from someone claiming to represent MLGW. This "representative" says that they are part of a program to help homeowners lower their energy bills. The details vary; this "program" may involve registering for tax credits, enrolling in an alternative energy program, or signing up with a competitive energy supplier.  

In some cases, con artists want to enroll customers in a non-existent program or sign them up for tax credits, which can require sharing personal information such as Social Security numbers, opening them up to the risk of identity theft. In other versions, the "program" involves paying upfront for future energy savings that never materialize.

Customers should also be wary of social media postings that do not come directly from MLGW.

Tips to avoid an energy bill scam:

1.Verify the program before enrolling. Before signing up, confirm that you are dealing with a representative of a real program. Call MLGW at 544-6549 or check mlgw.com.

2.Check out BBB Tips: Many scams use similar techniques. Visit bbb.org/utilityscam/ and bbb.org/grantscam/ for more advice.

National Weather Bureau: Excessive Heat Warning

Dangerous Heat Affecting the Midsouth

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS

EVENING

HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 PM CDT THURSDAY

The National Weather Service in Memphis has issued an Excessive Heat Warning until 7 pm CDT Wednesday and then a Heat Advisory, which is in effect from 7 PM CDT this evening to 7 PM CDT Thursday.

* HEAT INDEX READINGS...110 to 115 degrees.

* TIMING...Peak index values likely 2 PM CDT through 6 PM CDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...These conditions will lead to an increased risk of heat-related illnesses. Heat stroke and dehydration will be possible for those performing strenuous outdoor activities. The interior of a vehicle can reach lethal temperatures in a short period of time.

Recommended actions

An Excessive Heat Warning means that a prolonged period of dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and neighbors. Heat stroke is an emergency...call 9 1 1.

Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

MLGW, Neighborhood Christian Center Offer Second Chance to “Play It Cool”

45 Window Air –Conditioning Units Available for Low-Income Seniors

Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division and Neighborhood Christian Center are teaming up once again to “Play It Cool.” The annual initiative provides window air-conditioning units to qualified low-income seniors and disabled residents of Shelby County. There are currently 45 donated units remaining.

Neighborhood Christian Center will host a screening and application process for the free units at 785 Jackson Avenue July 26, 2017, from 9 a.m. until all units are committed.

To qualify, an applicant must be a resident of Shelby County, a low income senior 60 years of age or older, cannot have previously received an air conditioner from the Play It Cool Program, and must be living in a home without operable air conditioning.  The “Play It Cool” applicant must be the MLGW customer of record at the address where the unit is being requested.

Once an individual is screened and pre-qualifies, a pre-qualification voucher will be issued to verify that the applicant has met the guidelines up to the field inspection. A pre-qualification voucher does not guarantee receiving an air conditioner. Field inspections will be conducted by MLGW to verify that the residence meets installation requirements.

To apply, applicants will need the following credentials on hand:

• Tennessee State ID or Drivers License to verify age and address.
• The most recent pay stub or Social Security Income statement to verify income.
• Most recent MLGW utility bill
• If you have a physical disability but do not meet the age requirement you must bring the proper certification information.
  
  

Air conditioners will not be installed at addresses with bars or storm windows and installation will be performed by MLGW employees. 

Applicants for the “Play It Cool” Program may also contact the Neighborhood Christian Center’s hotline number at (901) 881-6013 for a pre-recorded message detailing the necessary qualifications and credentials for eligibility. 

No, it had nothing to do with jerks...

Bringing a touch of the Caribbean and especially Jamaica to Tiger Lane, the Caribbean Jerk Festival showed the tropics' bright colors, tasty food and movin' music on Saturday, July 14. MLGW volunteers staffed an information booth at Jerk Fest, informing visitors about natural gas safety, avoiding scams and how to save on your utility bill. (Click below to see the whole album.)

The Cooling Center Will Open Today through Thursday Morning: (The Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library)

The City of Memphis has implemented its hot weather plan with the establishment of a Cooling Center. Cooling Centers are places where residents dealing with heat index of at least 105°F for more than 3 hours per day for 2 consecutive days, or heat index more than 115°F for any period of time may escape the extreme conditions. Primary locations for cooling centers are usually malls, shopping centers, libraries, and community centers that are opened during normal business hours.

The After Hours Cooling Center will open today, July 24, 2017 through Thursday morning, July 27, 2017. Each day the operational hours are 9:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m. unless weather conditions change.

There were 115 guests who utilized the cooling center from Friday, July 21, 2017 – Monday, July 24, 2017.

The Cooling Center Location:

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
3030 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38111

The Cooling Center at the library will be open for those seeking cooling after normal business hours. Those seeking overnight shelter accommodations are encouraged to seek assistance from partners at The Union Mission located at 383 Poplar Ave. or The Salvation Army located at 696 Jackson Ave. For assistance regarding transportation please contact the OEM number below for assistance. Staff will continue to monitor the heat index to determine the need for continual accommodations.

Please follow on: Twitter- @MemphisOEM

If you have any questions, please contact the City of Memphis Office of Emergency Management at (901) 636-2525

MLGW Activates Hazardous Weather Program for Extreme Heat

(July 20, 2017) – Due to the current heat wave that has engulfed Memphis and Shelby County, Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division will implement its Hazardous Weather Condition Impact Management Program effective Friday, July 21, 2017.

Residential customers can pay $250 plus the appropriate reconnect fee toward their outstanding balance to re-establish utility service. Participation is open to customers who are currently without one or more utility services as well as those who may have high bills and are attempting to avoid being disconnected at some point in the future.

For the Special Reconnect Program, those currently without one or more utility services are required to complete the Hazardous Weather Agreement and enter into a deferred payment plan for their remaining outstanding balances that can range from five to nine months depending on the balance.

For the Deferred Payment Plan Relaxed Rules Program, the bill has to be more than $250 and the upfront money required is 25 percent of the money owed or $250, whichever is less. Additional conditions apply.

Eligible customers need to bring two forms of identification and payment to one of MLGW’s five community centers: 245 South Main Street, 2935 Lamar Avenue, 1111 East Shelby Drive, 2424 Summer Avenue or, in Millington, 5131 Navy Road.

MLGW’s Community Offices will remain open until 7 p.m. while the Hazard Weather Condition program is in active. In addition to these temporary weekday extended hours, the Community Offices will be open this Saturday and Sunday, July 22 and 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Hazardous Weather Condition Impact Management Program is separate from MLGW’s weather-related moratorium policy, which is in effect whenever these conditions exist: (a) the forecast heat index will be 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above at any time during a 24-hour period; or (b) the forecast heat index will be 95 degrees Fahrenheit or above at any time in a 24-hour period for customers 60 years of age or older, physically challenged, or customers certified as life-support dependent.

MLGW is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 426,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County.

Test Finds No Detectable Traces of Arsenic, Lead in Treated Drinking Water

Last week, a certified independent lab began conducting tests on 10 wells that supply water to MLGW’s Davis pumping station located in southwest Memphis. Tests were also conducted on the treated drinking water which goes into MLGW’s distribution system.

Initial test results had some traces of lead in two wells which prompted more samples to be pulled. Test results on the second samples from the two wells indicated that lead was below detection limits.

All wells and drinking water leaving the station tested below detected limits for arsenic.

 

Below are the arsenic and lead test results from the certified independent lab.

Weather-Related Moratorium Policy

When weather is extreme, we do not disconnect residential services. Each day we post whether we are disconnecting or not on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Weather-Related Moratorium Policy

It is the policy of MLGW to not disconnect any residential accounts for non-payment whenever the following conditions exist:

(a) The forecast wind chill factor will be 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below (freezing) for a period of 24 hours or more.

(b) The forecast heat index will be 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above at any time during a 24-hour period.

(c) The forecast heat index will be 95 degrees Fahrenheit or above at any time in a 24-hour period for customers 60 years of ago or older, physically challenged, or customers certified as life-support dependent.   

MLGW closes east-bound lane of Union Avenue for underground electrical work

We have closed the southern-most east-bound lane of Union Avenue west of Midtown I-240 to east of Bellevue. The work will continue through September 29, 2017. This work will take place daily from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

This closure is necessary to perform underground electrical installation for Methodist University Hospital. The closure will also affect an additional east-bound lane closing on Union Avenue as well as the north-bound lanes of Bellevue taking traffic down to one lane. This will not prevent access to the hospital or emergency room.

Plan to Beat the Heat!

The National Weather Service predicts heat index values approaching 105 degrees Wednesday through the weekend. “Excessive heat is not just uncomfortable, but can lead to heat-related illness and even death. Both are preventable if you take precautions,” said Dale Lane, Shelby County Office of Preparedness Director. “Plan how to beat the heat this summer!”

Stay Informed: Check the forecast for changes in temperature and high heat index values.

Know the Terms:

Heat Index: Relative humidity plus air temperature or “how hot it feels.”

Heat Advisory: Heat index meets local advisory criteria for 1 to 2 days (highs = 100 to 105 F).

Heat Wave: Prolonged excessive heat and humidity - typically for 2 or more days.

Excessive Heat Watch: Conditions are favorable for excessive heat to meet or exceed local criteria
in 24 to 72 hours.

Excessive Heat Warning: Heat index meets or exceeds local warning criteria for 2 days.

Vehicles: Never leave children or pets alone in an enclosed vehicle. Look before you lock. If you see a child or pet alone in an enclosed vehicle, call 9-1-1.

Hydrate: Drink plenty of water. Don’t wait until you are thirsty. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

Nutrition: Eat small meals often. Avoid food with high sodium content.

Clothing: Wear loose lightweight, light-colored clothes. Wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Plan Ahead: If you exercise outside, do so in early morning or early evening hours.

Stay Inside: If you have no air conditioning, move to lowest floor. Close drapes. Use a fan.
Take cool showers. Visit air conditioned public places (library, mall, or community center).

Sunscreen: Wear sunscreen and reapply as directed.

Be a Buddy! Check on those without air conditioning, seniors, outdoor laborers, infants, young children, those with medical conditions, and those who live alone.

Pets: Bring pets into air conditioning or ensure they have shade and cool water to drink.

Learn to Prevent Heat Illnesses:

Heat cramps:
Symptoms: Severe muscle spasms, usually in legs or abdomen; heavy sweats.
Remedy: Move to a cool place. Rest. Drink cool water. Lightly stretch affected muscles.

Heat exhaustion:
Symptoms: Heavy sweats; cool, moist, or flushed skin; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; confusion; fast, weak pulse; and exhaustion.
Remedy: Move to a cool place. Loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet towels. If conscious, give sips of cool water. If no improvement, if victim refuses water or vomits, call 9-1-1!

Heat stroke: 
The body cannot cool down by sweating due to dehydration. Life threatening!
Symptoms: Increased body temperature; decreased sweating; hot red skin; change in or loss of consciousness; rapid, strong pulse; rapid, shallow breathing; confusion; headache; nausea or vomiting; and seizures.
Remedy: Call 9-1-1! Move to a cool place. Apply cool, wet towels. Do not give liquids.

Resources: National Weather Service: www.weather.gov Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.ready.gov/heat End of Release

MLGW temporarily suspends kiosk payments after weekend run on machines

    MLGW President and CEO Jerry R. Collins Jr. pulled the plug temporarily on 187 self-service kiosks after thousands of customers stood in line making minimal payments hoping for deeply discounted utility bills.

    The self-service kiosks will begin taking MLGW payments on Thursday, July 13. “We are confident that the software problem is behind us, and the system is reliable,” Collins said.

    Collins said that MLGW was hit with a weekend double whammy: a software computer glitch in the vendor-operated machines and a social media rumor that former Memphis Grizzly Zach Randolph had made a $1 million donation to help people pay their utility bills.

    “Basically, the numbers (of a person’s bill) were off by a factor of 100… If a person paid $5 on a $500 bill, it looked like that (the remainder) was at or near zero on their balance,” Collins said. On Saturday, nearly 19,000 customers made partial payments at TIO Networks kiosks.

    An additional 4,000 customers made payments with clerk-assisted TIO merchants. Another 12,000 customers paid online, by phone or with another clerk-assisted vendor and were not affected by the TIO error.

    An undetermined number of customers wrote checks on closed bank accounts due to the rumor, which MLGW has graciously agreed to waive the $40 returned check fee for checks in the amount of $20 or less.

    Based on a preliminary investigation, a local resident posted on social media that Z-Bo had made a $1 million donation to help people with their utility bills. The post went viral and prompted long lines at the kiosks in convenience stores, gas stations and community offices.

    TIO Networks Corp. operates the machines and takes payments for phone, cable service and utility bills. The $2 service fee TIO charged to kiosk customers has been credited to their MLGW accounts. The fees totaled about $37,000. Collins said MLGW staffers noticed a problem with one or two kiosks on Thursday night and Friday. The staff placed a work order with the vendor to make the necessary repairs. “The staff thought it was an isolated problem. As it turns out, it was all the kiosks operated by TIO Networks,” Collins said.

    He added, “Certainly, the software problem could have been identified and fixed quietly if it had not been for the false rumor that was on social media. It just took off like wildfire.”

    “MLGW’s computers were not compromised. Nobody was hacked,” Collins explained. “No one was harmed from a financial standpoint.”

    While the rumor about Z-Bo was false, Randolph has said he will still donate $20,000 this fall to Plus-1 as he has annually.

    Memphians responded by challenging others to supplement Randolph’s generosity with #50forthecity at ioby./org/project/50-city. Randolph just announced he is leaving Memphis to play for the Sacramento Kings.

Water Quality

Below is our statement regarding the recent news on TVA. Our Water Quality Assurance Laboratory can be reached at 320-3962. You can also view our Water Quality Report here.

Put Your Utilities on Vacation

You're going on vacation! Once you finish packing your suitcases, take a few minutes to walk through your house and put your utilities on vacation too. That way, you can spend money on your trip instead of your utility bill.

Click here to learn how!

City Council Honors MLGW Workers

From Customer Care to Electric Operations to Security to Communications and more, our team was honored by the Memphis City Council on Tuesday for restoration efforts after the #TomLeeStorm.



Click the photo to view the entire album on Flickr.

FYI: Zach Randolph Rumor

MLGW Statement Concerning Rumor About  Zach Randolph Paying Utility Bills

MLGW and the Memphis Grizzlies organization are both unaware of $1 million that Zach Randolph is rumored to be paying toward any customers utility bills.

This rumor has spread on social media, but it is not true.

Customers who have gone to an MLGW kiosk or Exxon on the Run/Tiger Mart kiosk since Friday to pay their bills need to call MLGW at 544-6549.

The kiosks did not produce accurate receipts and they are not producing accurate receipts today. We are working to solve that problem.

Notice of Meeting Change

Notice: The Wednesday, July 19, 2017 Board of Commissioner's Meeting will be held in the Lobby of the Netters Business Center at 1665 Whitten Road, Memphis, TN 38134, at 1:00 p.m.

The Pension Board Meeting will also be held on this same day at the Netters Business Center in Room 177 at 11:00 a.m. The OPEB Committee Meeting will immediately follow the Pension Board Meeting in Room 177.

Learn More About Share the Pennies

Share the Pennies Opt-Out Change to Take Effect Jan. 1, 2018

Beginning Jan. 1, 2018, MLGW will expand its Share the Pennies utility bill round-up program to include all residential and commercial customers.

Share the Pennies, sponsored by MLGW and MIFA, provides grants to low-income homeowners for home weatherization to increase energy efficiency and reduce wasted energy. The grants are funded by MLGW customers whose bills are rounded up to the next whole dollar. For example, a bill of $74.50 would be rounded up to $75, and 50 cents would go toward the grant program.

Customers who choose not to donate to Share the Pennies can opt out any time before or after the enrollment expansion through the following methods:

• Visit mlgw.com/share and submit the opt-out form.

• Call our Customer Care Center at 544-6549 (MLGW), press 1-2-6-2 and follow the prompts, or speak with a Service Advisor. (Spanish-speaking customers can press 3-2-6-2 when calling the automated system.)

• Visit an MLGW community office.
or Via our Free Apps: Android - http://ow.ly/SL0TB; Apple - http://ow.ly/LpE9Y.

Customers will need their MLGW account number or the phone number associated with their account in order to opt out, and they must be the customer of record to make the change.

Regardless of opt-out status, no new customers will be enrolled in the round-up program until Jan. 1, 2018, unless they request to donate before then.

After the automatic enrollment, MLGW and MIFA expect to be able to help a greater number of customers through Share the Pennies. The program is undergoing other changes as well. Currently, grants are limited to $1,500 and awarded only to senior or disabled customers. In the new iteration of Share the Pennies, grants will increase up to a $4,000 maximum and will be available to all low-income customers, subject to eligibility guidelines.

Share the Pennies is not a bill assistance program. Funds for weatherization improvements are only available for resident homeowners. Rental properties are ineligible.

Background

The decision to switch to an opt-out model came after the MLGW Neighborhood Advisory Council — led by MLGW customers — and Just Energy Memphis (NAACP, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and the Sierra Club) wanted to explore ways of further assisting members of our community who are most in need. They partnered with Memphis City Councilwoman Patrice Robinson, who proposed a resolution to the Memphis City Council. The MLGW Board approved the Council’s resolution to make Share the Pennies an opt-out program for all customers. The council passed the resolution with a 10-0 vote. The MLGW Board of Commissioners voted to approve proposed changes on Feb. 22, 2017.

For more information about Share the Pennies, visit http://mlgw.com/sharethepennies.

Eligibility requirements and more information about grants can be found at MIFA’s website, http://mifa.org/sharethepennies.