
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 16, 1995                   TAG: 9505160080
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

APCO JUICING UP ITS BILLS WITH USER-FRIENDLY FEATURES

Starting with its June statements, Apco bills will include such items as tips on energy use, messages from the company to its customers and other customer information. The bill is an interim version of a new format that will be used after the utility completes an extensive modernization next year.

Appalachian Power Co. customers may get a jolt when they open their power bills next month.

The electric utility's customers will be seeing a new type of monthly statement beginning with June's mailing. It is all part of the company's effort to make its bills as "customer friendly" as possible, Don Johnson, a spokesman at the company's Roanoke headquarters, said Monday.

The bill being mailed to Apco's 800,000 residential and commercial customers will be a temporary version of a new format that the company will begin using after it completes an extensive modernization of its marketing, accounting and customer service system next year. The company promises that future changes will alter the interim bill only slightly.

The bill was designed in conjunction with all seven American Electric Power utility companies, and the cost was spread among them.

An insert will be mailed with the new bill explaining its many features, Johnson said. They include information on energy use, places for previous charges and customer information and ample room for messages from the company to its customers.

by CNB