Important Information

As an existing or new, member, there are several things you should know about the services we provide. The following information addresses commonly asked questions. For your convenience, you can double-click on the following links to bring you directly to a specific topic.

STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION
ELECTRIC HEATING SALES TAX EXEMPTION
CAPITAL CREDITS
DELINQUENT ACCOUNT DISCONNECTIONS
POWER OUTAGES
OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
OFFICE DEPARTMENT

Cold Weather Law

I. Disconnect Notice and Information

Before disconnecting service to a residential customer during the period between October 15 and April 15, the Cooperative will provide the following information to a customer:

1. A notice of proposed disconnection.

2. A statement explaining the customer's rights and responsibilities.

3. A list of local energy assistance providers.

4. Forms on which to declare inability to pay.

5. A statement explaining available time payment plans and other opportunities to secure continued utility service.

II. Disconnect Prohibited Under Certain Conditions

The Cooperative will not disconnect the utility service of a residential customer if the disconnection affects the primary heat source for the residential unit when all the following five conditions are met.

1. The disconnection would occur during the period between October 15 and April 15.

2. The customer has declared inability to pay on forms provided by the Cooperative.

3. The household income of the customer is less than 50 percent of the State median income, as documented by the customer of the Cooperative.

4. Verification of income may be conducted by the local energy assistance provider or his/her Cooperative, unless the customer is automatically eligible for protection against disconnection as a recipient of any form of public assistance, including energy assistance that uses income eligibility in an amount at or below the income eligibility in clause 3 above.

5. The customer's account is current for the billing period immediately prior to October 15 or the customer has entered into a payment schedule and is reasonably current with payments under the schedule.

III. Disconnection allowed

A residential customer may be involuntarily disconnected for failure to comply with or for inability to meet any of the five conditions mentioned directly above.

IV. Number of Days after Notification before Disconnection

If an involuntary disconnection is to occur between October 15 and April 15, the disconnection will not occur on a Friday or on the day before a holiday. Further, the disconnection will not occur until at least 20 calendar days after the notice and information required in Paragraph II has been mailed to the customer or 15 calendar days after the notice and information has been personally delivered to the customer.

V. Investigation for Occupancy and Notification

If a customer does not respond to a disconnection notice, the customer will not be disconnected until the Cooperative investigates whether the residential unit is actually occupied. If the unit is found to be occupied, the Cooperative will immediately inform the occupant of the provisions of this policy. If the unit is unoccupied, the Cooperative will give seven (7) days written notice of the proposed disconnection to the local energy assistance provider before making a disconnection.

VI. Disconnection Prohibited During Consumer Appeal

If prior to disconnection, a customer appeals a notice of involuntary disconnection, as provided by the Cooperatives established appeal procedure, the Cooperative will not disconnect until the appeal is resolved.