Summit Utilities Announces Important Changes Coming to Customer Accounts

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (October 17, 2022) – Summit Utilities (Summit) customers can expect changes coming November 1. Summit closed its acquisition of CenterPoint Energy’s (CenterPoint) distribution assets in Arkansas, Oklahoma and the Texarkana, Texas area in January 2022. Since that time, CenterPoint has been providing certain services to customers on Summit’s behalf while the companies worked together to securely transition all customer data and services to Summit. Summit will be providing all billing and customer services from the Summit platforms beginning Tuesday, November 1, 2022.

Summit is still made up of the same local people, dedicated to safety, community, and reliable energy, but the CenterPoint platforms customers have been using will be changing to new Summit platforms as part of this transition.

These changes include:

• New Summit customer account number (Customers will be able to use their CenterPoint credentials to log into Summit’s new customer portal. The first time a customer logs in, they will be prompted to reset their password.)
• New bill design
• New customer account management web portal
• New customer service call center based in Arkansas

Customer account numbers will change beginning November 1^st. When this transition happens, Summit will have a secure webpage customers can visit to help them look up their new account number, and Summit’s customer service call center will be available from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm central time, Monday through Friday.

Because of this transition in billing systems from CenterPoint’s platform to Summit’s platform, there will be a “blackout” period when customers will not be able to make payments through either the CenterPoint Energy or Summit customer portals beginning at 6:00 p.m. October 27^th until 8:00 a.m. November 1^st. Summit apologizes for the inconvenience and will not be charging any late fees during this time. 

During the “blackout” period, emergency calls will go to Summit’s dispatch beginning at 6 p.m. central time on October 27^th.

Summit understands changes like this can be challenging, which is why Summit is working diligently to keep customers informed about this transition through emails, bill inserts, Facebook and our website.

Summit’s customer service numbers will remain the same:

Arkansas and Texarkana: 800-992-7552

Oklahoma: 866-275-5265

During this transition, customers may experience longer wait times when calling customer service due to a potential for higher call volumes. Summit appreciates everyone’s patience as they continue to work on the transition process.

A full list of frequently asked questions and answers regarding upcoming changes can be found on Summit’s website.

Background on Summit Utilities, Inc.’s Recent Acquisition:

Summit closed its acquisition of CenterPoint Energy’s natural gas distribution assets in Arkansas, Oklahoma and the Texarkana, Texas area on January 10, 2022. The gas distribution systems included in the transaction serve approximately 525,000 customers in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, and include 17,000 miles of gas main pipeline across those three states. As part of the acquisition, Summit welcomed nearly 600 CenterPoint team members to the company.

Throughout 2022, Summit and CenterPoint worked together to migrate all operations and services to Summit. During that transition period, CenterPoint continued to provide certain services to customers on behalf of Summit including aspects of billing, customer support and marketing.   

Background on Summit Utilities, Inc.

Summit Utilities, Inc. owns natural gas distribution and transmission subsidiaries that operate in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. The company provides safe, clean and affordable natural gas to businesses and residents in six states through Arkansas Oklahoma Gas, Colorado Natural Gas, Summit Natural Gas of Maine, Summit Natural Gas of Missouri, Summit Utilities Arkansas, and Summit Utilities Oklahoma. Each of Summit’s natural gas distribution and transmission subsidiaries constructs and installs natural gas distribution systems with the goal of supporting economic development by providing clean-burning, safe and reliable natural gas to residential and commercial customers through exceptional customer service and commitment to community. Overall, Summit entities serve approximately 625,000 customers and operate more than 23,400 miles of pipeline.