Fort Pierce - Thursday August 4, 2022: The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) has suspended all service disconnections for non-payment, effective Monday, August 1st.
Reconnections began Thursday for any customers who have been disconnected since Monday, and any fees assessed will be credited to the account. The utility says they will also waive any late fees assessed after August 1st in order to provide relief to its customers with high utility bills.
These measures are additional steps that FPUA is taking to help customers manage bills amid increased fuel costs and a very hot summer.
FPUA encourages customers to do their best to stay current with their bills, as payments will be deferred, not waived. The grace period will apply to any customer – residential or business – who needs additional time to pay their bill.
FPUA’s 28-thousand customers have been hit hard by surging natural gas prices and a 10% FPUA rate hike that’s needed to pay for the long awaited relocation of the South Hutchinson Island Wastewater Treatment Plant.
FPUA has already redirected $50,000 to Project Care partner, Mustard Seed Ministries, from its energy conservation program fund, which is funded through the Florida Municipal Power Agency.
Mustard Seed Ministries is coordinating this process and meeting with customers requesting financial assistance up to $150. Customers should call Mustard Seed at 772-465-6021 to schedule an appointment.
FPUA is also offering budget billing and special payment arrangements to help during this natural gas crisis. Contact FPUA’s Customer Service Department at 772-466-1600 ext. 3900 if help is needed.
FPUA says it will continue to focus on ways to keep utility bills affordable for customers. Learn about conservation tips and more on the FPUA website at: www.fpua.com.
About FPUA: Fort Pierce Utilities Authority is a municipal, not-for-profit utility provider, now in its 50th year. Fort Pierce is one of more than 2,000 communities in the United States served by a community-owned electric utility, and one of very few who also provide water, wastewater, natural gas, and Internet services. The public utility systems are owned by the people they serve. All benefits from our locally controlled utility remain right here in the community. Additional information is available at www.fpua.com.