What is Fixed Bill?

Fixed Bill is a voluntary natural gas billing program that locks in your monthly natural gas charges for a full 12 months. There are no adjustments and no end-of-year credits or balances.

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Why is WPS offering Fixed Bill?

WPS wants to provide customers with a new option to plan for their natural gas costs.

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What are the benefits of Fixed Bill?

Fixed Bill provides 12 months of bill certainty, with no surprises. With Fixed Bill, you'll enjoy:

• Consistent monthly natural gas payments
• No year-end balances
• No adjustments due to changes in energy prices or temperature

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Will I pay more on Fixed Bill?

You may or may not pay more on Fixed Bill than on other billing options depending on future weather conditions and natural gas prices.

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Who is eligible for Fixed Bill?

You are eligible for Fixed Bill if you meet the following criteria:

• You are a WPS natural gas customer in Wisconsin
• You have sufficient temperature-related natural gas use
• You meet WPS credit requirements

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What are the differences between Fixed Bill, Budget Billing and Standard Service?

	Fixed Bill	Budget Billing	Standard Service
Program Description	Monthly natural gas charges are fixed for 12 months regardless of changes in use, prices and weather	The amount you are asked to pay is estimated and adjusted every six months to reflect actual energy prices and the amount of energy used	Bill amount changes each month and fluctuates due to use, prices and weather
Program fee	Includes a 6% program fee	No program fee	No program fee
Monthly payment amount	Monthly natural gas charges are fixed	Your monthly amount is reviewed after six months and may be adjusted based on actual use, prices and weather	Amount fluctuates each month with usage, prices and weather
Eligibility	Customers must have sufficient temperature-related natural gas use and meet credit requirements	Customers must remain current with their energy bill	No special criteria
Early program termination	In general, customers cannot leave the program early. Situations where early termination may apply are: If you move If your bill is not paid If there is excessive energy use not related to weather	Customers can leave the program at any time	Customers can leave the program at any time
Early termination fees	$50 exit fee plus adjustment amount	Full payment of remaining balance	There are no termination fees
Enrollment Period	Limited enrollment period in the early fall	Year round	Year round

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Can I be enrolled in Fixed Bill and Budget Billing?

No. If you choose to enroll in the natural gas Fixed Bill program, you cannot be enrolled in Budget Billing.

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Can I enroll both my electric and natural gas services?

No. Fixed Bill is available for eligible natural gas services only. Another option to help even out your energy bills is Budget Billing.

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When does Fixed Bill enrollment open?

Late August of each program year.

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When does enrollment end?

No later than October 15 of each program year.

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When will I receive my first Fixed Bill?

Your Fixed Bill program year will begin with your November bill.

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How can I enroll in Fixed Bill?

During the limited enrollment period, you can enroll in Fixed Bill online or by calling 888-332-3598 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

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Is the enrollment limited?

Yes. Enrollment is based on a first-come, first-served basis and ends no later than October 15 of each program year.

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Is there a fee to participate?

Yes. A 6% program fee will be included for each natural gas Fixed Bill amount.

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Why are program fees charged?

Program fees are charged to cover the administrative costs associated with offering and running the Fixed Bill program.

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How are my Fixed Bill amounts calculated?

WPS calculates your typical natural gas use under normal weather conditions, then locks in a fixed price for natural gas. We then add the Fixed Bill program fee to provide you with your natural gas Fixed Bill amount.

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What does my Fixed Bill amount include?

Your Fixed Bill covers natural gas charges, including commodity, delivery, monthly fixed charges and program fees.

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Can I terminate my Fixed Bill participation?

No. Customer may only opt out of the Fixed Bill program at the end of their 12-month agreement. However, WPS has the right to remove you from the program if you move, allow your bill to become delinquent or increase your non-temperature-related natural gas use by 15 percent or more for two consecutive months.

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Is there an early termination charge?

Yes. Customers who are removed from the Fixed Bill program will incur a $50 exit fee and adjustment amount.

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What if I decide I do not want to be enrolled in Fixed Bill shortly after I sign up for it?

Customers may opt out of the Fixed Bill program year before the due date of their first Fixed Bill (November) without incurring any exit fees or adjustments.

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Why is my new 2011-2012 Fixed Bill so much different than my 2010-2011 Fixed Bill?

The reason your new Fixed Bill quote amount is different may be a result of several factors: First, it may be due to changes in the pricing used to calculate your quote, which includes a fixed price for gas, gas distribution and customer charges.

The new gas price locked in for your 2011 to 2012 Fixed Bill is lower than the gas price that was locked in last year.

The current Fixed Bill gas price for the 2010-2011 program year is $0.97 per therm. The new price for the 2011-2012 Fixed Bill beginning with November 2011 bills is $0.95 per therm.

Another reason your new Fixed Bill quote amount could be different is due to changes in the way you've used gas. Your new quote is based on your most recent usage history. So, for example, if you've changed, added or eliminated some gas appliances or equipment, or have greatly reduced or increased your gas use, your quote amount would be affected.

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Are there any discounts available if I make energy efficiency improvements?

Yes. If you've installed certain conservation measures recently, you may be eligible to receive a discount on your Fixed Bill. These include a 10% discount for installing a qualifying furnace or boiler; a 5% discount for installing a qualifying water heater; a 10% discount for installing qualifying insulation and air sealing; and a 3% discount for installing qualifying windows and doors. If you have installed multiple conservation measures, the maximum total discount is 15% during one program year. To see if you qualify, please provide proof of purchase and installation by an authorized contractor.

Mail To:
Wisconsin Public Service
Fixed Bill Program
Attn: Daniel Martin
P.O. Box 19001
Green Bay, WI 54304

Fax: 920-433-2502, Attn: Fixed Bill

E-mail: DEMartin@wisconsinpublicservice.com

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What standards must the efficiency measures meet to qualify for the discounts?

In order to qualify for some of these discounts on your Fixed Bill, you must meet certain criteria established by the Focus on Energy (Focus) program. Focus is Wisconsin’s program which works with residents and businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency measures.

Furnace or Boilers

In order to receive the Fixed Bill discount for a furnace, boiler or water heater, you must provide a paid invoice or other documentation acceptable to Focus and the equipment must qualify for a Focus Cash-Back Reward or a Focus Targeted Home Performance equipment replacement at the time of installation.

Insulation and Air Sealing

In order to receive the Fixed Bill discount for insulation and air sealing, you must complete a Focus Home Performance or Targeted Home Performance assessment, plus install the top two recommended insulation and air sealing measures which must qualify for Focus financial incentives at the time of installation.

Windows and Doors

In order to receive the Fixed Bill discount for windows and doors you must present a paid invoice for at least 3 windows and/or doors which must qualify for a federal energy efficiency tax credit at the time of installation.

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