The Department of Energy indicated for the Midwest that there would be a 35 percent increase in heating costs. That was in August, before Katrina. I have not seen that figure revised.

If there's damage to the service mast (weatherhead) or the meter socket, that's customer-owned equipment, and a licensed electrician needs to make repairs to that equipment before we can reconnect. After a licensed electrician does that work, the customer calls us, lets us know the work has been completed and then we will restore service.

We were literally rebuilding our electrical distribution system. This was definitely a severe storm and had significant damage to our system and the customers' property.

The worst thing to do is not make a telephone call.

That turned out to be $21 more per month or 22 percent higher.

We want them to call us, so payment arrangements can be made, so they can be put in contact with any assistance that's available.