RULES
AND REGULATIONS
ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP
CORPORATION
Revised January 21, 2008
I.
APPLICATION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS
These Rules and Regulations apply to each and every Member or applicant
for membership.
The Rules and Regulations
may be revised, amended, supplemented or otherwise changed from time to time by
action of the Board of Directors.
1. Application for Service.
Each prospective Member will be required to
make an application for each service and agree to abide by the Rules and
Regulations and By-laws of the Cooperative.
2.
Place of Application.
Application must be made at the office of the
Cooperative, on-line or to a duly authorized agent or employee and all
applicable fees and deposits shall accompany such application.
3.
Application Data.
The application shall contain a description
of the premises to be served, whether applicant is owner, agent or tenant of
the premises, and such other information as the Cooperative may reasonably
require.
4.
Right to Reject.
The Cooperative reserves the right to reject
any application for service not available under its rate schedules, or which
involves excessive cost, or which might affect the supply of service to others.
5. Acceptance.
Service shall be provided upon acceptance of the application by the
Cooperative.
Service shall be classified for the purpose of determining the
applicable rate schedule in accordance with the nature of the Members’
establishment and the nature of the service installed.
1. Members wiring and equipment shall be installed in
accordance with the requirements of the Cooperative and the National Electric
Code and be subject to approval by the Cooperative and/or other agencies having
jurisdiction.
The Cooperative may refuse to make connections to Members’
wiring and equipment or to discontinue service thereto whenever in its judgment
such installation is unsafe or not in accordance with accepted code
requirements.
Any change in or addition to the wiring or repairs involving a
change may also be subject to approval by the Cooperative and/or other agencies
having jurisdiction.
All power installations on
the Cooperative’s lines must conform to the rules and regulations as set forth
in the National Electric Safety Code, and such other codes as may be
applicable.
The following general requirements
should be adhered to in all power installations:
(a) All motors shall be equipped
with adequate over current protection.
(b) All motors, single-phase, 1
H.P. and larger shall be provided with adequate line starting equipment.
(c) All three-phase motors from
1. H.P. to and including 7 ˝ H.P. shall be provided with adequate line starting
equipment.
(d) All motors above 5 H.P.
single-phase and above 7 ˝ H.P. three-phase shall be provided with an adequate
current limiting starting device. A
starting device which will automatically return to a starting position on
interruption of service, and which will limit the starting current to 11
amperes per H.P. will be acceptable.
The Point of delivery is the
demarcation point at which the responsibility for service and maintenance
changes from Cooperative to Member. The applicant shall communicate with the
Cooperative, giving exact location of the premises and the details of all
current consuming devices which are to be installed, upon receipt of such information
the Cooperative will designate a point of delivery at which point service
connections will terminate and near which the Member must provide, free of
expense to the Cooperative, a suitable place, satisfactory to the Cooperative,
for the transformer or transformers, meter or meters or other equipment of the
Cooperative, which may be necessary for the fulfillment of such contracts as
the Member may enter into with the Cooperative.
The maintenance and repair of such equipment shall be the responsibility
of the Member. Any damages resulting
from an act of God shall not be the responsibility of the Cooperative.
(a) Upon proper application for
service for overhead or underground distribution facilities, the Cooperative
shall provide the necessary facilities for rendering adequate service without
charge when the estimated total revenue for a period of two and one-half (2˝)
years to be realized by the Cooperative from permanent and continuing customers
on such extension is at least equal to the estimated cost of such
extension. For those service extensions
where the estimated costs exceed the estimated revenue, the Member must pay the
difference.
(b) If in the opinion of the
Cooperative (a), the estimated cost of such an extension and the prospective
revenue to be received from its is so meager as to make it doubtful whether the
revenue from the extension would ever pay a fair return on the investment
involved in such extension, or (b) in a case of real estate development, with
slight or no immediate demand for service, or (c) in the case of an
installation requiring extensive equipment with slight or irregular service;
then in any of the above cases the Cooperative shall submit the same to the
Board of Directors for investigation and determination as to public convenience
and necessity of such extension, and if so required the conditions under which
it shall be made.
(c) For each customer, exclusive
of the initial applicants considered in the making of an extension, connected
to such an extension within the period of six (6) years from the completion of
such extension, the Cooperative shall refund to such initial applicants, in
proportion to their respective contributions toward the cost of such extension,
an amount equal to two and one-half (2˝) times the estimated annual revenue
from such new customer, less the cost to service such new customer, but the
total of all refunds to any such applicant shall in no event exceed the
aforesaid contribution of such application.
(d) Service lines, not to exceed
600 volts may be installed by the applicant to the reasonable specifications
and inspections of the Cooperative.
However, if the Member does install the service lines, the Cooperative
will have no responsibility for those lines.
Members shall consult with the Cooperative regarding the options
available for the installation of service lines.
(e) Variations of this rule when
approved by the Board of Directors may take precedence over the above-mentioned
cost application.
If a Member requests for his
convenience, or by his actions requires, that Cooperative facilities be
re-designed, re-engineered, relocated, removed, modified or re-installed, the
Cooperative may require the Member to make payment of the full costs of
performing such service.
The Cooperative’s obligation
to extend its facilities to a new point of delivery is limited to the
assumption of new investment that may be warranted by the amount of revenue to
be anticipated from the sale of energy at the new point.
Where the prospective sale
of energy does not warrant the expenditure required to serve it, the
Cooperative will determine, in accordance with its established practice from
the circumstances of each case, what guarantees of revenue, or what financing,
shall be required of the applicant.
Members shall own, maintain,
and operate all substation and transforming equipment where voltage, phase, or
frequency is desired other than at which service is rendered and metered under
the terms of the applicable rate schedule.
Service connections will not
be made until the wiring of the premises is actually in progress or has been
completed in accordance with the Cooperative’s standard requirements. The Cooperative is not responsible for any
defect in the Member’s wiring or devices.
The Cooperative will install
and maintain its lines and equipment on its side of the point of delivery, but
shall not be required to install or maintain any lines, equipment or apparatus,
unless specifically provided for in schedules or agreements, except meters and
meter accessories, beyond the point of delivery. The definition of meters and meter accessories
does not include meter bases. The
Cooperative shall provide standard meter bases but they shall be installed and
maintained by the Member at the Member’s expense.
1. Member’s Liability.
The Cooperative’s
responsibility extends only to the supplying of service at the point of
delivery. The Member assumes full
responsibility for the electric current upon premises at and from the point of
delivery thereof, and for the wires, apparatus, devices and appurtenances
thereon used in connection with the service.
The Member shall indemnify, save harmless and defend the Cooperative
against all claims, demands, cost or expense for loss, damage or injury to
persons or property in any manner directly or indirectly arising from,
connected with, or growing out of the transmission or use of electric current
by the Member at or on the Member’s side of point of delivery.
2. Changes in the Member’s Wiring and Equipment.
All equipment supplied by the Cooperative for the use of each Member
has a definite capacity and for this reason, it shall be the responsibility of
the Member to notify the Cooperative in writing before any change is made in
the total connected load, load characteristics, purpose or location of his
installation. Failure to give such
notice shall render the Member liable for any damage to meter or accessories,
transformers, or wires, of the Cooperative, caused by the additional or changed
installation.
3. Protection by Member.
The Member shall protect the equipment of the Cooperative on his
premises and shall not interfere with or alter or permit interference with or
alteration of Cooperative’s meters or other property except by duly authorized
representatives of the Cooperative.
In the event of any loss or damage to the property of the
Cooperative due to or caused by, or arising from, carelessness, negligence, or
misuse by Member or Member’s agent, the cost of the necessary replacement and
repairs shall be paid for by the Member.
Members requesting a change
of location of any of the Cooperative’s property such as poles, anchors, etc.,
will be required to pay all cost incident to such relocation.
If the meters or other
property belonging to the Cooperative are tampered with or interfered with, the
Member being supplied through such equipment shall pay the amount which the
Cooperative may estimate is due for service rendered but not registered on the
Cooperative’s meter, and for such replacements and repairs as are necessary, as
well as for the costs of inspection, investigation and protective
installations. The Cooperative shall
have all other remedies available under state law.
Duly authorized
representatives of the Cooperative shall have the right of ingress to and
egress from the premises of Member at all reasonable times for the purpose of
reading, testing, inspecting, repairing, replacing, or removing its meters or
other property, or inspecting and/or testing the Member’s installation or for
the purpose of removing its property on the termination of service or on
discontinuance of service from whatever cause.
In cases where it is necessary and cost effective, the Cooperative may
use, without payment to the Member, the Member’s premises for accessing neighboring
property serviced by the Cooperative.
1. Member’s Responsibility.
The Member shall provide and
maintain, on private property, all roads, dikes, ditch-banks, etc., required
for the purpose of the Cooperative’s construction, maintenance and meter
reading equipment.
The Cooperative shall require
those roads, dikes, ditch-banks, etc., be maintained in such a manner that the
Cooperative’s vehicle may travel safely thereon.
2. Right-of-Way Maintenance.
The Member hereby grants to the Cooperative and the Cooperative will
maintain right-of-way according to its specifications with the right to cut,
trim, and control the growth by chemical means or otherwise of trees and
shrubbery located within the right-of-way or that may interfere with or
threaten to endanger the operation or maintenance of the Cooperative’s line or
system.
When trimming right-of-way, the Cooperative will remove debris
at its expense from “clean and maintained” areas; that is, an area which is
regularly maintained free of logs and brush.
In other areas, right-of-way debris will be left in the right-of-way
1. Regularity of Supply.
The Cooperative will use
reasonable diligence to provide and maintain uninterrupted service; but in case
of cessation, deficiency, variation in voltage, or any other failure or reversal
of the service, resulting from acts of God, public enemies, accidents, strikes,
riots, wars, repairs, orders of Court, or other acts beyond the control of the
Cooperative, the Cooperative shall not be liable for damages, direct or
consequential, resulting from such service interruption or failure.
2. Notice of Trouble.
The Member should give immediate notice at the office of the
Cooperative of any interruptions, or irregularities or unsatisfactory service
and of any defects known to the Member.
The Cooperative may at any time it deems necessary, suspend the
supply of electrical energy to any Member or Members for the purpose of making
repairs, changes, or improvements upon any part of its system.
The Cooperative shall make effort to furnish reasonable notice
of such suspension of service to Members, where practicable.
3. Relocation of Delivery Point.
If the Cooperative shall be required to place underground any portion
of its wires, or service supply lines, or relocate any poles or feeders, the
Member shall change the location of their point of delivery at the Member’s own
expense.
REMC does not guarantee
phase protection on a multi-phase service.
It is the Member’s responsibility to install phase protection
equipment. REMC is not liable for
damaged equipment in the event of a loss of phase(s).
The Cooperative complies
with the Public Utility Regulatory Polices Act of 1978 (PURPA), along with
rules and regulations promulgated under PURPA as they relate to Qualifying
Facilities (QF). Any owner/operator of a
QF desiring to connect with and sell electric demand and energy to the
Cooperative shall notify the Cooperative.
The Cooperative will provide the owner/operator with its current
applicable Rate Schedule and Riders.
(a) Any contracts for the sale of electric demand
and energy from a QF could be made between the owner/operator and Wabash Valley
Power Association (WVPA). The
Cooperative will assist the owner/operator in making initial contact with WVPA.
(b) Also through a similar prior
arrangement with WVPA, all contracts for the sale of electric demand and energy
from an Independent Power Producer (IPP) will be made between the
owner/operator and WVPA. The Cooperative
will assist the owner/operator in making initial contact with WVPA.
(c) The Member will not use the Cooperative’s
electric service in parallel with other electric service, nor will other
electric service be introduced on the premises of the Member for use in
conjunction with or as a supplement to the Cooperative’s electric service,
without the prior written consent of the Cooperative.
(d) Where
approved, standby and/or supplemental on-site generation is provided by the
Member, parallel operation of the Member’s generating equipment with the
Cooperative’s system will not be allowed.
The Member will install all protective devices specified in the National
Electric Code or the National Electric Safety Code as applicable. A double throw switch must be used to prevent
possible injury to the Cooperative’s personnel and equipment by making it
impossible for power to feed back into the main line from the emergency
generator.
(e) The Member
will be liable for all damages to facilities or injuries resulting from standby
or supplemental onsite generation. The
Member shall indemnify and hold harmless the Cooperative from any and all
claims for property damage and personal injury associated with or resulting
from the use of standby or supplemental onsite generation.
All purchased electric
service on the premises of the Member shall be supplied exclusively by the
Cooperative, and the Member shall not, directly or indirectly, sell, sublet,
assign, or otherwise dispose of, such electric service, or any part thereof,
without the consent of the Cooperative.
1. Separate
Meter For Each Service.
The Cooperative will normally furnish a single meter at the point of
connection to the Member’s
premises. Any Member desiring service at
two or more separately metered points of
connection to the Cooperative lines shall be billed separately at each such
point and the registrations of such meters shall not be added for billing
purposes.
In the event a Member would
request that their 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 test 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 costs 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.
A Member who has a demand
meter can make a request to the Cooperative to have an electric demand test on
the electric load of the Member. This
request must be accompanied by a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00). If the electric demand is found to be correct
or higher than demand fixed by the Cooperative, the Cooperative will keep the
fee; but if the electric demand is found to be less than the demand fixed by the
Cooperative and greater than four percent (4%), then the fee will be returned
to the Member.
Any person or persons
starting the use of service without first notifying and enabling the
Cooperative to read the meter may be held responsible for any amount due for
service supplied to the premises from the time of the last reading of the
meter, immediately preceding his occupancy, as shown by the Cooperative’s
books. Members shall give reasonable
notice to terminate their service, until a final meter reading acceptable to
the Cooperative is obtained.
Notice of discontinuance of
service prior to the expiration of service [a contract-term] will not relieve a
Member from any minimum, or guaranteed, payment under any special rate or
contract [or] rate.
A Member requesting
disconnection of service shall pay a reconnection fee before service is
restored to this same Member at the same location.
1. Billing Period.
Bills for regular service
will be rendered monthly from meter readings taken at the most convenient
period of the month, or otherwise computed according to Cooperative’s Rate
Schedules and Rules and Regulations then in effect, and shall be due on the
date determined by the Cooperative.
Bills for special or short
term service under the applicable rates, including the cost of connecting and
disconnecting, may be rendered at the discretion of the Cooperative, and shall
be payable on demand.
Unless otherwise provided
for when a membership is terminated and a bill is rendered for any period other
than between two regular meter reading dates, the Member’s bill shall be
pro-rated for the period as described below:
(a) The actual use in Kilowatt
hours for the period between meter readings shall be multiplied by 30 and
divided by the number of days for which service was rendered.
(b) The charge for the amount of
energy determined from (a) above shall be computed under the applicable rate
schedule.
(c) This charge (b) above shall
then be multiplied by the number of days in the period between meter readings
and divided by 30 to obtain the total net bill for the amount of energy used by
the Member during this period.
(d) In the event the regular
monthly minimum bill of the applicable rate schedule pro-rated on the basis of
the number or days service was furnished exceeds the pro-rated energy charge as
computed above, then the pro-rated monthly minimum shall apply.
The Cooperative will on a
monthly basis read the Member’s meter and send a bill computed there from. In the event the Cooperative cannot read the
meter because of inclement weather or for other unforeseen reasons, a bill will
be estimated based on prior months usage.
Members who are receiving
electrical service under the residential rate tariff may elect a plan whereby
the monthly bills are averaged over an extended period and then the account is
balanced at the end of that period. For
more specific information on this arrangement, please contact the office.
All Bills for regular
service are payable monthly, during business hours at the office of the
Cooperative or at such other places as may be designated by the Cooperative.
Failure to receive a bill
shall not entitle a Member to any discount or to the remission of any charge
for non-payment within the time specified.
A utility service bill,
which has remained unpaid for a period of more than fifteen (15) days following
the mailing of the bill, shall become delinquent and a late payment charge
(penalty) may be added in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the first $20.00
and three percent (3%) of the balance.
If any service meter after
being tested, is found to have a percentage of error greater than three percent
(3%) for watthour meters and four percent (4%) for demand meters, the bills for
service shall be adjusted.
(A) Fast Meters.
When a meter is found to
have a positive average error, the Cooperative shall refund or credit the
Member’s account with the amount of any charges in excess of either (1) an
average bill for the KWHs and/or demand units incorrectly metered or (2)
separate bills individually adjusted for the percent of error for the period
the meter was fast, if such period can be determined, or one (1) year,
whichever period is shorter. An average
bill shall be calculated on the basis of KWHs and/or demand units registered on
the meter over corresponding periods either before or after the period for
which the meter is determined to be fast.
No part of a minimum service charge shall be refunded.
(B) Stopped
or Slow Meters.
When a meter is stopped or
has a negative average error (slow meter), the Cooperative may charge the
Member for the KWHs and/or demand units incorrectly registered for one-half
(1/2) of the period since the last previous test date of the meter or one (1)
year, whichever is shorter.
The amount of the charge to
the Member shall be estimated on the basis of either (1) an average bill or (2)
separate bills individually adjusted for the percent of error. The adjustment may be calculated on
corresponding periods either prior or after the period for which the meter is
determined to be slow or stopped.
The Cooperative may charge
the Member for such amounts except where the utility negligently allows the
stopped or slow meter to remain in service.
(C) Other
Billing Adjustments.
All other billing errors,
including incorrect tariff applications, may be adjusted to the known date of
error.
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 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) days.
The Cooperative may
disconnect service without the Member’s request and without prior notice only:
(a)
if a condition dangerous or hazardous to life, physical safety or
property exists; or
(b)
upon order by any court or other duly authorized public authority; or
(c)
if fraudulent or unauthorized use of electricity is detected and the
Cooperative has reasonable grounds to believe that the affected Member is
responsible for such use; or
(d)
if the Cooperative’s regulating or measuring equipment has been
tampered with and the Cooperative has reasonable grounds to believe that the
affected Member is responsible for such tampering.
The Cooperative may at its
discretion, and if equipment is available, provide a limiting device that
limits the amount of electricity that can be used in lieu of total
disconnection for those Members that are delinquent with their bill. This limiting device is installed on a
temporary basis to allow the Member to resolve with the Cooperative their
delinquent status.
(a)
If payment is not received within ten (10) days after the original due
date, the service shall be subject to disconnection.
(b) Payment extensions will be granted up to two (2) days from the
scheduled disconnect date. If the
promise is not kept, the Member will be subject to full disconnection, limiting
devices will not be installed after a Member has broken a promise.
(c) A Member’s service will be limited no more than six (6) times during
their entire length of membership with the REMC. After service has been limited six (6) times,
all disconnects will be at the discretion of the Cooperative.
(d) All reconnections for non-pay will be done the following business
day, unless circumstances prevent such (i.e. storms) in which case reconnection
will occur when circumstances allow.
There is a fifty dollar ($50.00) reconnection charge to be paid in
addition to any deposits required.
Should a Member request a same day reconnect and it can be done before
3:00 p.m., there will be a reconnection charge of one hundred dollars ($100.00)
to be paid in addition to any deposits.
Should a Member request same day reconnection and it can be done, but
not completed until after 3:00 p.m., then the reconnection charge will be one
hundred-fifty dollars ($150.00) in addition to any deposits. Under no circumstances will a Member be
reconnected unless the request occurs during
normal business hours, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday, excluding
holidays.
(e) A Member who has been disconnected for non-pay of a bill will be
required to pay a deposit of no less than two (2) times their average bill.
1. Reconnection of Rental
Property:
A
property owner/landlord will be required to pay a fifty dollar ($50.00)
reconnection fee in the event a Member living in their property is disconnected
for non-payment of their electric bill.
This fee is to be paid in full before service will be restored.
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 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
or 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 such medical statement.
The Member may not be
disconnected for failure to pay for merchandise or appliances that were
purchased from the Cooperative, or upon failure to pay for electric service
rendered at a different metering point if such bill has remained unpaid for
less than 45 days, or upon failure to pay for services to a previous occupant
of the premises to be served, or upon failure to pay for a different form or
class of utility service, or if a Member shows cause for their inability to pay
the full amount due (financial hardship shall constitute cause) and the Member:
(a) Pays 50% of the bill; and
agrees to pay the remainder of the outstanding bill within three (3) months;
and
(b) agrees to pay all undisputed
future bills for service as they become due; and
(c) has not breached any similar
agreement with the Cooperative made pursuant to this rule within the past
twelve months.
Provided, however, that the
Cooperative may add to the outstanding bill a late payment charge not to exceed
the amount set pursuant to Rule XII, paragraph 7. Provided further, that the above terms of
agreement shall be put in writing by the Cooperative and signed by the Member
and by a representative of the 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 any human or mechanical
error of the Cooperative, and the Member:
(a) pays a reasonable portion of
the bill, not to exceed an amount equal to the customer’s average bill for the
six (6) bills immediately preceding the bill in question;
(b) agrees to pay the remaining
at a reasonable rate; and
(c) agrees to pay all undisputed
future bills for service as they become due;
Provided, however, that the
Cooperative may not add to the outstanding bill any late fees. Provided, further, that the above terms of
agreement shall be put in writing by the Cooperative and signed by the Member
and a representative of the Cooperative.
The Cooperative will not
disconnect service unless it is done between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00
p.m., prevailing local time at the location of the Cooperative’s headquarters,
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 Cooperative’s
equipment has been tampered with and the Cooperative has reasonable grounds to
believe that the affected Member is responsible for the fraudulent use or
tampering with the equipment.
The Cooperative will not
disconnect service for non-payment on any day, or beyond twelve noon (12:00
noon) of the day immediately preceding any day on which the 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 seven (7) days after the notice is
mailed. The notice will have information
regarding the disconnection. When the
Cooperative’s employee arrives at the premises of the Member for the purpose of
disconnection, they will identify themselves and explain the purpose of their
presence. The employee will have
information in their possession to explain the reasons for disconnection.
A notice will be given to
the Member, or left on the premises in the event the Member is not at home,
stating that the service has been disconnected.
The notice will give the address and telephone number of the Cooperative
where the Member may arrange to have service reconnected.
The Cooperative may charge a
reconnect charge that has been approved by the Board of Directors.
Service shall be reconnected
as soon as reasonably possible after satisfactory arrangements have been made.
1. Requirement
of Deposit.
Where an applicant’s credit is not established to
the satisfaction of the Cooperative, or where the credit of a Member with the
Cooperative has been impaired, or where the Cooperative deems it necessary, a
deposit, or other guarantee, satisfactory to the Cooperative, may be required
as security for the payment of future and final bills, before the Cooperative
shall render or continue to render service.
2. New Members.
The Cooperative will access an online credit report
to determine the creditworthiness of the Member applicant. A deposit may be required based on the
results of the credit report. All
deposits and memberships must be paid within 14 days of starting service on a
location that has electric on. If the
monies are not paid, the first business day following the 14 days, the Member
is subject to full disconnection. If the
Member indicates they cannot pay the full deposit, the Cooperative shall advise
the Member applicant that they may pay ˝ of the total deposit and the balance in
equal installment payments over a period of no more than eight (8) weeks. Service shall be connected upon receipt by
the Cooperative of the first payment.
If the electric service at the residence
the new Member is moving into has been disconnected, all membership fee and
deposits must be paid up front before restoration of service will be made.
3. Existing Members.
The Cooperative may require an existing Member to
make a cash deposit when the Member has been mailed disconnect notices for two
(2) consecutive months or any three (3) months within the preceding twelve (12)
month period, or when the service has been disconnected pursuant to the rules
for non-payment. The Member shall pay ˝
the deposit required and have eight (8) weeks to pay the balance.
4. Interest on Deposits.
Deposits held more than twelve (12) months shall
earn interest from the date of deposit at a rate of interest as the Board of
Directors may prescribe.
5. Deposit Refunds.
A deposit may be refunded at the request of the
Member after twelve (12) months. On time
payments must have been received for twelve (12) consecutive months.
6. Special Deposits.
Deposits other than those described above will be
required by special contract or when, determined by the Cooperative, such deposit
is necessary due to the type of service.
Such deposit will be based upon the risk of a business enterprise, the
reputation and history of the premises, or the credit rating and the financial
dependability of the Member.
The following
terms apply to those with underground facilities on their property:
1. The Member shall provide, at
no cost to the REMC, a 12-foot clear right(s)-of-way for the electric
facilities. The property owner shall
make the strip into which the facilities are to be located accessible to the
REMC’s equipment, remove all obstructions from the strip, grade the strip to
within 4 inches of final grade and provide continuing access to the REMC for
operation, maintenance or replacement of facilities.
2. The REMC shall not be
responsible for damage to or removal of shrubs, trees, flowers, grass or lawn
during the installation, removal or maintenance of the underground facilities.
3. When maintenance or
replacement of facilities is required, all existing underground wires, pipes,
tiles, etc., owned by the property owner shall be dug up and exposed. The REMC will work with the other utilities
concerning their facilities, but assumes no liability for damage to property
owner’s facilities that were not exposed.
4. A minimum of 3-inch conduit
shall be provided for the REMC when the facilities cross under a driveway, edge
of patio, porch, deck, or sidewalk. This
conduit shall extend 2 feet beyond the edge of the aforementioned obstructions. Sweep elbows must be provided as needed.