Story last updated at 3:44 a.m.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Service launches today; customers can pay using debit, credit cards fee-free LP&L to flip switch on online payment option

ELLIOTT BLACKBURN AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Lubbock Power & Light ended in June last year a 2 percent discount for customers who paid their bills ahead of their due dates to offset credit card fees associated with offering the service. The power company will absorb the $1 to $4 per transaction cost of paying with a credit or debit card.

"The market dictates that you don't charge," said board chairman W.R. Collier.

South Plains Electric Cooperative, which serves sections of southern and western Lubbock, has offered online payment since November 1999 and does not charge. Xcel Energy, another local retail provider, offers payment by phone but not online payment in Texas.

Sims declined to provide the cost of providing that service, citing exemptions in state open records law that allows the city-owned company to withhold competitive matters, but said the cost will not increase electricity rates.

Payment options may change, but customers will still receive their bills the same way. LP&L does not yet have the ability to send out monthly bills by e-mail. The online payments are capped at $750 over a seven day period to prevent identity theft or credit card abuse, Sims said.

The utility struggled for months to bring the service online, and began testing payments with employees in September. The most recent intended launch had been Oct. 1.