Your Rights & Responsibilities PDF Print E-mail

 


REQUEST FOR A METER TEST

 In the event a member would request that his meter be tested, this request must be made in writing. After the meter is tested and no error is found, the member cannot request another for twelve (12) months. However, after twelve (12) months the member may request in writing a second test. If on the second test no error is found, the member cannot request another test for thirty-six (36) months unless the member elects to bear the full cost of the meter tests during that period.

After each test, the member will receive a written report giving the complete results of the test, and a copy of the test will be on file in the office.

ALTERNATIVE BILLING METHOD

Members who are receiving electrical service under the residential rate tariff may elect to contract for a budget plan whereby the member's monthly electric bill is levelized based upon previous kilowatt-hour usage history. For mom specific information on this contractual arrangement, please contact the office.

DISCONNECTION OF SERVICE

When a member receiving electrical service under the residential rate tariff requests disconnection of service, the member shall notify the office at least three (3) days in advance of the day disconnection is desired. The member shall remain responsible for all service used and the billings therefore until service is disconnected pursuant to such notification. However, the rural electric cooperative must disconnect service within three (3) working days of the requested disconnection date and the member shall not be liable for any service rendered after the expiration of three (3) such days.

The rural electric cooperative may disconnect service without the members request and without prior notice only:

  1. if a condition dangerous or hazardous to life, physical safety or property exists; or
  2. upon order by any court or other duly authorized public authority; or
  3. if fraudulent or unauthorized use of electricity is detected and the rural electric cooperative has reasonable grounds to believe the affected member is responsible for such use; or
  4. if the rural electric cooperative's regulating or measuring equipment has been tampered with and the rural electric cooperative has reasonable grounds to believe that the affected member is responsible for such tampering.

PROHIBITED DISCONNECTIONS

Electric service to a member shall not be disconnected for ten (10) days if, prior to the disconnect date specified in the disconnect notice, the member provides the rural electric cooperative with a medical statement from a licensed physician or public health official which states that disconnection would be a serious and immediate threat to the health and safety of a designated person in the household of the member. The postponement of the disconnection shall be continued for one (1) additional ten (10) day period upon the provision of an additional medical statement.

The member may not be disconnected for his failure to pay for merchandise or appliances that were purchased from the rural electric cooperative, or upon failure to pay for electric service rendered at a different metering point if such bill has remained unpaid for less than forty-five (45) days, or upon his failure to pay for services to a previous occupant of the premises to be served, or upon his failure to pay for a different form or class of utility service, or if a member shows cause for his inability to pay the full amount due (financial hardship shall constiture cause) and the member:

  1. pays a reasonable portion (not to exceed $10 or one tenth of the bill whichever is less un-less the member agrees to a greater portion) of the bill; and
  2. agrees to pay the remainder of the outstanding bill within three (3) months; and
  3. agrees to pay all undisputed future bills for service as they become due; and
  4. has not breached any similar agreement with the rural electric cooperative made pursuant to this rule within the past twelve (12) months.

Provided, however, that the rural electric cooperative may add to the outstanding bill a late payment charge. Provided, further, that the above terms of agreement shall be put in writing by the rural electric cooperative and signed by the member and by a representative of the rural electric cooperative.

If a member or user is unable to pay a bill, which is unusually large due to a prior incorrect reading of the meter, incorrect application of the rate schedule, incorrect connection or functioning of the meter, prior estimates where no actual reading was taken for over two (2) months, stopped or slow meters, or human or mechanical error of the rural electric cooperative, and the member:

  1. pays a reasonable portion of the bill, not to exceed an amount equal to the member's average bill for the six (6) bills immediately preceding the bill in question;
  2. agrees to pay the remaining at a reasonable rate; and
  3. agrees to pay all undisputed future bills for service as they become due;

Provided, however, that the rural electric cooperative may not add to the outstanding bill any late fee. Provided, further, that the above terms of agreement shall be put in writing by the rural electric cooperative and signed by the member and a representative of the rural electric cooperative.

The rural electric cooperative will not disconnect service unless it is done between the hours of 8 a.rn and 3 p.m., prevailing local time, unless it is at the member's request a hazardous condition exists, an order of the court, fraudulent or unauthorized use is detected or the rural electric cooperative equipment has been tampered with and the rural electric cooperative has reasonable grounds to believe that the affected member is responsible for the fraudulent use or tampering with the equipment.

The rural electric cooperative will not disconnect service for nonpayment on any day, or beyond twelve noon (12 noon) of the day immediately preceding any day on which the rural electric cooperative is not open.

Before service can be disconnected, the member will receive a written notice that will give the date of the proposed disconnection which will be fourteen (14) days after the notice is mailed. The notice will have information regarding the disconnection. When the rural electric cooperative's employee arrives at the premises of the member for the purpose of disconnection, he will identify himself and explain the purpose of his presence. The employee will have information in his possession to explain the reseson for disconnection.

A notice will be given to the member or left on the premises in the event the member is not a home stating that service, has been disconnected. The notice will have the address and telephone number of the rural electric cooperative where the member may arrange to have service reconnected.

The rural electric cooperative may charge a reconnect charge that has been approved by the Board of Directors.

Service must be reconnected after satisfactory arrangements have been made as soon as reasonably possible, but at least within one (1) working day.

INFORMATION PROVIDED MEMBERS

A member may request, free of charge, a copy of the rate schedule that is applicable for the type of service requested.

EXTENSION OF DISTRIBUTION LINES

When application is received requesting electrical service, whether overhead construction or underground construction, the rural electric cooperative will estimate the cost of required construction. Also, an estimate will be made as to the two and one half years (2½) expected revenue from the permanent and continued use by the member requesting electrical service

If the estimated revenue exceeds the estimated construction cost, the member will receive service for a charge of not less than the cost of power to serve the new load. However, should the construction cost exceed the two and one half (2½) years revenue, the member will be required to make adequate provisions for payment of the construction costs, less two and one half (2½) years revenue, plus the cost of power to serve the new load, to the rural cooperative. The power cost will be determined by taking the cooperative's percentage of power cost to revenue on the previous annual Form 7 and multiplying that by the estimated revenue amount.

This payment will be accountable for six (6) years, during which time if additional applications are made that would utilize the original facilities built for the original applicant, the additional applicants' estimated revenue would be calculated to two and one half (2½) years less construction cost to connect the additional applicants. The difference then would be refunded to the original applicant who made the original payment. Refunds made during the six (6) years would never exceed the original payment.

Service lines, not to exceed 600 volts may be installed by the applicant to the reasonable specifications and inspections of the rural electric cooperative. However, if the member does install the service lines, the rural electric cooperative will have no responsibility for those lines. Members should consult with the rural electric cooperative the options available for the installation of service lines.

MODIFICATION AT MEMBER'S EXPENSE

If a member requests for his convenience or by his actions requires that rural electric cooperative facilities be redesigned, reengineered, relocated, removed, modified or re-installed, the rural electric cooperative may require the member to make payment of the full costs of performing such service.

COMPLAINTS AND REVIEW

A member of the rural electric cooperative may complain about any bill which is not delinquent, a disconnection notice, or any other matter relating to its service and may request a conference. The member may make this complaint in person or in writing.

In making a complaint and/or request for conference, the member shall state at a minimum his name, service address and the general nature of his complaint.

The rural electric cooperative will promptly and thoroughly investigate the complaint and will notify the member of the proposed disposition.

If the member is receiving service at the time the complaint and/or review is received by the rural electric cooperative, the member's service shall not be disconnected until ten (10) days have elapsed from the date of mailing of the proposed disposition.

If there is disagreement as to what portion of the bill is undisputed, it shall be sufficient that the member pay on the disputed bill, an amount equal to his average for six (6) months immediately preceding the disputed bill.

STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION

White County Rural Electric Membership Corporation is the recipient of Federal financial assistance from the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is subject to the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended.

In accordance with Federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs).

The person responsible for coordinating this organization's nondiscrimination compliance efforts is Randy W. Price, President & CEO. Any individual, or specific class of individuals, who feels that this organization has subjected them to discrimination may obtain further information about the statutes and regulations listed above from and/or file a written complaint. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Complaints must be filed within 180 days after the alleged discrimination. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible.