Her power was shut off for 1 cent charge?

Just how powerful is a penny?

To a Michigan energy company it's the difference between keeping your lights on and having them turned off.

Consumers Energy turned off the power to a Flint woman after she paid all but one penny of her bill, which was $1,662.08. The company told Jacqueline Williams the power would not be turned on until it received the penny.

The woman went into the Consumers' Energy office and paid the penny and got a receipt. After seven hours without electricity, her power was restored.

Considering she had a bill that was $1,660+, I think the electric company was right in expecting a payment in full… however they still are dicks for making her go into their office to pay the penny. Dicks. Article here.