In Plainfield, Indiana, Duke Energy is making the winter season a bit warmer for some Hoosiers with a substantial $320,000 dedicated to aiding customers with their energy bills through the "Share the Light" fund, contributions to which stem from the company's shareholders, customers, and employees alike, as reported by WTHR.
The Indiana Community Action Association, in cooperation with Duke Energy, channels these funds to customers based on eligibility criteria that take into account factors such as income, family size and resource availability, this partnership enables support for utility bill payments, including deposits and reconnection/connection fees, and eligible customers could see up to a $300 yearly credit applied to their accounts, eligibility details and steps to apply for assistance can be found by reaching out directly to local community action agencies or by visiting Duke Energy's announcement page.
Data from the past five years showcase the program's impact: the "Share the Light" fund has injected more than $4 million into bill assistance, extending a lifeline to nearly 15,000 households across Indiana, a gesture that Ed Gerardot, director at Indiana Community Action Association underscored in a statement affirming, “Each year, more than 2,600 Indiana households receive assistance with their energy bills through Duke Energy’s Share the Light Fund, so as you would imagine, this support from the company is truly a gift,” Duke Energy reported.
Additional aid to manage energy costs is part of Duke Energy's customer support framework, with initiatives such as Usage Alerts that inform customers of their current electricity consumption and costs, the provision of Free Home Energy House Calls for efficiency assessments, and offer interest-free installment payment plans for those in need of financial leniency. “Duke Energy’s Share the Light Fund is available to those who may be struggling to make ends meet. We work hand in hand with community partners to connect our customers with available assistance, offer programs and tools to help manage their energy use and provide financial support during times of economic hardship,” Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana, expressed the commitment as stated on their website.
Duke Energy Indiana, the state's largest electric supplier, delivers about 6,300 megawatts of owned electric capacity to roughly 920,000 customers, over a sprawling 23,000-square-mile service area.
