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Moratorium Lifted, Energy Shutoffs May Begin

Tim Boyle/Getty Images

On Tuesday, Utility companies in Wisconsin can begin disconnecting customers who have not paid their electricity bills.

That's because a state moratorium on energy shutoffs is being lifted.

Cathy Schultz is a spokesperson WE Energies.

She says the harsh winter won't result in more shutoffs than normal this year, but the cold weather has increased energy bills.

"That number of the customers is about the same, although the amount of arrears owed is larger this year, by about ten to 15 percent on average, due to the higher heating bills that people saw this winter, with the very cold weather we've had," Schultz says.

Schulz says up to 6,000 homes are at risk of being disconnected.  The utility suggests customers take advantage of budget billing and energy assistance opportunities to keep their service going.