If you were one of the thousands without power for nearly a week, you could get a break on next month's bill.

Puget Sound Energy says it plans to give a $50 credit to customers who lost power for five or more days during last week's winter storm.

"The prolonged power outages from the storms created a real hardship for many of our customers," said Sue McLain, PSE senior vice president of Delivery Operations. "The bill credit won't take back the dark evenings and chill in the bones that many families experienced. Rather, it is a gesture of our appreciation for their understanding and patience."

According to PSE, this is the first time, since passing the 120-consecutive-hour power outage credit in 2008, the utility has had to activate it.

PSE says the credit will automatically be provided to all customers without power for five days or longer.

The credit should show up on your Feb. 15th bill.

If it doesn't - you should notify PSE at: 888-225-5773.

Puget Sound Energy customers don't miss your chance to comment on proposed rate increases to your power and natural gas bills.

PSE is asking for $160 million a year in new electricity revenues and $33 million a year in natural gas revenues.

If approved, customers would see their power bills go up by $8.37 a month and natural gas bills by about $2.84 a month.

The Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) will make a final decision on the rate request by spring.

So far, the commission has received 340 customer comments on PSE's proposal.

Here's a breakdown of those comments:

• 311 opposed
• 2 in favor
• 27 undecided

Customers can comment via email here or by mail: UTC, P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, Wash. 98504.

UTC is also holding two public meetings next month: