In the event of a dispute between a member and the Cooperative regarding any bill for electric services, the Cooperative shall make such investigation as shall be required by the particular circumstances and report the results thereof to the member. In the event the dispute is not resolved, the Cooperative shall inform the member of the complaint procedures of the Cooperative and any regulatory authority having jurisdiction.
The member shall not be required to pay the disputed portion of the bill which exceeds the member's average monthly usage at current rates, pending the resolution of the dispute. The Cooperative will attempt to resolve the dispute within 60 days. For purposes of this rule only, the member's average monthly usage at current rates shall be the average of the member's gross utility service for the proceeding 12-month period. When no previous usage history exists, consumption for calculating the average monthly usage shall be estimated on the basis of usage levels of similar members and under similar conditions.
Each bill for utility service(s) is due 16 days after issuance unless such day falls on a holiday or weekend, in which case, payment is due on the next working day. If full payment is not received in the office of the Cooperative or at any agency authorized by the Cooperative to receive payment on or before the date such bill is due, the member's account will be considered delinquent and subject to disconnection in accordance with these rules.
The member will pay a minimum bill in accordance with the applicable rate schedule, irrespective of the amount of electricity consumed, even if none is consumed. The minimum charge shall be in addition to any fuel cost adjustment charges, power cost adjustment charges or other billing adjustments. All billing adjustments shall be billed in addition to and exclusive of the minimum charge.
The minimum charge may be increased in accordance with the Cooperative’s line extension policy for new construction. Usually the amount of such increase will be stated in the electric service agreement.
Upon a request of a member, the Cooperative shall make a test of the accuracy of the member's meter. The test shall be made during the Cooperative’s normal working hours at a time convenient to the member, if he or she desires to observe the test. The test may be made on the member's premises or at a test laboratory as determined by the Cooperative. Following completion of testing, the Cooperative shall promptly advise the member of the date of removal of the meter, if removed, the date of the test, the result of the test, and who made the test.
Usage, as well as demand, may be estimated by the Cooperative where there is good reason for doing so, such as inclement weather, personnel shortage, etc. provided an actual meter reading is taken every 6 months. If the member has requested to provide meter readings to the Cooperative and does not report a meter reading to the Cooperative in time for billing, the Cooperative will estimate the meter reading and render a bill accordingly.
The Cooperative uses reasonable diligence to read meters for all classes of service. The meter reading may be obtained by a Cooperative meter employee, contractor or via devices that provide automatic meter readings electronically.
Usage of electric energy (expressed as kWh) is usually determined by a meter reading. Electric energy usage is measured at the metering point regardless of whether or not it is the same as the point of delivery.
