NP&L to close local offices

"We are committed to providing our NP&L customers excellent service that is consistent, using the most efficient and cost-competitive options," said Fred Alexander, NP&L district manager.

"Moving to pay agents is an option that's been used by other utilities, including Duke Power, NP&L's parent organization, to streamline processes while providing customers additional flexibility," he said.

According to Alexander, pay agents are businesses such as hardware stores that agree to accept payments on behalf of another company. These businesses typically have more flexible hours than a normal 8-5, Monday-Friday schedule and some are open on weekends. Pay agents will offer customers with billing questions a courtesy phone to contact a NP&L representative.

"Our plan is to move to a pay agent system in Cashiers during the first quarter of 2001 and then with Andrews and Robbinsville later in the year. In 2002, we'll phase into pay agents for Bryson City, Franklin and Sylva. Bill inserts will inform customers about specific plans before the pay agent system begins in their area," said Alexander. Most North Carolina utilities have already switched to pay agents. After an initial period of adjustment, it has worked well for customers, Alexander said.

"We're moving to pay agents on a flexible schedule to allow reassignment of local office employees to new areas of operations," said Alexander.

"While the ways we do our work are changing, our commitment to customers remains a priority. Customers will still see us extending service to new homes and businesses, making repairs after storms and involved in the communities where we live," he said.

NP&L serves 60,000 customers in a rugged 1,729 square mile area of southwestern North Carolina. This includes Cherokee, Graham, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties. Duke Power has owned NP&L since 1988. More information about Duke Power is available on the Internet at www. dukepower.com.

Back to Archive: 11/23/00.