Winter break on city electric cut-offs ends next Monday; delinquent accounts get notice

Hagerstown on Monday announced that electric service terminations on delinquent accounts will resume next week.

For county residents, Potomac Edison also announced it will resume regular procedures for shut-offs in a week.

The state doesn't allow electric service cut-offs during cold weather, which is recognized between Nov. 1 and March 31, according to city spokesman Wes Decker.

Next Monday, service terminations will resume on delinquent accounts, according to a city news release. The city has started sending "24-hour notices" to accounts with large balances in an attempt to draw attention to the Monday deadline, according to Decker and the release.

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"The city is committed to working with all customers who are interested in setting up payment arrangements in order to avoid service interruption," according to the release.

Customers may email customerservice@hagerstownmd.org, call 301-790-4160, or visit customer service on the first floor of City Hall for help, the release said.

Customers needing assistance can also contact Washington County Community Action Council at 117 Summit Ave. or call the agency at 301-797-4161.

What about if Potomac Edison is my power company?

Potomac Edison said in a statement that it will resume regular non-winter procedures for non-payment shut-offs next Monday.

Potomac Edison said it strives to keep costs for service manageable. To help customers pay their bills, it offers average payment plans, special payment plans and access to energy assistance programs.

For more information, go to www.firstenergycorp.com/billassist. To learn about energy efficiency products and programs to help save money, visit www.energysavemd.com.