The Courier-Journal (Louisville)
LG&E set to close its office downtown
Utility plans to shutter all locations by end of 2024
LG&E-KU, the main gas and electric provider across the state, announced in December 2022 that it would be closing all 26 of its business offices by the end of 2024, including its location in downtown Louisville.
A recent posting from the utility company notified customers that the LG&E Louisville Broadway office will close on June 14.
The Lexington KU office will also close on June 14. Greenville and Middlesboro KU offices will close on May 31.
In a December 2022 news release from the company, it stated the decision to close all physical office locations was due to fewer in-person transactions with customers relying more on self-services such as the LG&E app, online accounts, or automated phone calls.
Since 2014, LG&E-KU has seen a 42% decline in walk-in services, Liz Pratt, a media relations manager at LG&E-KU said last year.
“There were a number of factors that influenced this decision, to include a decline in customer walk-in traffic, increased staffing challenges exacerbated by the pandemic, customers’ increased use of our self-serve channels that are available 24/7, and best practices among similar utilities moving away from the walk-in center model,” Pratt previously told the Courier Journal.
There are roughly 70 employees across the offices. Pratt previously said the company was working to identify other opportunities for those employees.
Here’s what to know about the office closures:
When are the LG&E offices closing?
The office closures were expected to occur in phases.
Seven KU offices were initially scheduled to close on March 31, 2023, with other phased closings to follow. KU operates 25 total business offices across the coverage territory.
Louisville has one business office at 820 W. Broadway, which will close in June 2024.
Where can I pay my LG&E bill in person?
All services that were available at the business offices are available in the mobile app and online accounts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Pratt previously said.
For customers who prefer to pay their gas and electricity bills in person with cash, they can stop by CVS, Dollar General, Kroger, Walgreens and
Walmart to make payments, an April release stated.
How many customers does LG&E serve?
LG&E provides services to 333,000 natural gas and 429,000 electric customers across Louisville and 16 counties. KU services 566,000 electric customers across 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia.
“We’ve been a part of our Kentucky and Virginia communities for more than a century, and we’re proud to continue to support the communities we serve,” Pratt previously said. “While our operations may be evolving, what isn’t changing is our connection to our neighbors and local communities.”
Contact reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on Twitter at @oliviamevans_