05 • Bills and Payments for Service

Adopted: 1976-03-01
Revised: 2005-08-03
Reviewed: 1998-08-21

WELLS RURAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

Adopted: March 1976 Revised: August 3, 2005

Reviewed: August 21, 1998

RULE NO. 5

BILLS AND PAYMENTS FOR SERVICE

A. Rendering of Bills

Bills for service will be rendered on a monthly basis, unless otherwise approved by the company.

1. Metered Service

a. Bills for metered service will show at least the reading of the meter at the end of the period for which bill was rendered, the number of electrical units, and the date of the current meter reading unless the bill is estimated. No bill shall be less than the specified monthly fixed charge or minimum charge.

b. Each meter on a member�s premises will be considered separately and the readings of two or more meters will not be combined except where the company's operating convenience or necessity may require the use of more than one meter.

c. If, for reasons beyond its control, the company is unable to read members meter on the scheduled reading date, the company may bill member for estimated consumption during the billing period subject to adjustment at the time the meter is next read.

2. Adjustment of Bills Due to Error

a. When it is found that there has been an error in past billings to a member, the overcharge or the undercharge will be adjusted back to the most reliably established date.

b. In case of a dispute between a member and the company as to the correct amount of any bill rendered by the company for electric service furnished to the member, the member will deposit with the company the amount claimed by the company to be due.

c. Failure on the part of the member to make such deposit within 15 days after written notice by the company, that such deposit be made or service may be discontinued, shall warrant the company to discontinue the service to the member without further notice.

d. In the event of dispute between the member and the company respecting any bill, charge or service, the company shall forthwith make such investigation as shall be required by the particular case, and report the result thereof to the member. In the event that the complaint cannot be satisfactorily adjusted, the company or the member may make application to the Board of Directors for adjustment of the complaint, and the company shall notify the member in writing or otherwise that he/she has the privilege of appeal to the Board of Directors, and then if not satisfied the company shall notify the member that he/she has the right to appeal to the proper governing authority if jurisdiction exists.

3. Payment of Bills

Bills for service are due and payable as of billing date and payment may be made at any commercial office of the company, internet payment or over the phone. Payment of closing bills shall be made at the time of presentation.

4. Auto Payment Program

Arrangements can be made to have bills paid automatically on a monthly basis by credit card, debit card or checking account. It is the member�s responsibility to provide current information for their credit card, debit card or checking account. If payment is declined 3 times within 6 months, the member will be taken off the auto-pay program.

5. Evidence of Consumption

The registration of the company's meter shall be accepted as primary evidence of the amount of power and energy taken by the member, unless there is evidence of meter tampering.

6. Budget Billing

a. Availability:

Residential and Rural Residential members are subject to the following rules and regulations.

b. Terms of Payment:

1. Electric bills will be figured on a twelve-month average, with adjustments made annually at each rate increase, or each change in value added services.

2. Payments will be made on a monthly basis.

c. Qualifications:

1. Must be a current member of Wells Rural Electric Company, with at least one year's usage history at the applicable location. In the event a reasonable estimate of usage can be made, the one-year history requirement may be waived.

d. Default in Payment:

1. Default in payment will automatically cancel the budget billing agreement and the full amount will be due and payable.

2. Discontinuance of service will be handled in accordance with Rule No. 6, paragraph B of the Wells Rural Electric Company "Rules, Rates and Regulations" policy.

3. Any person accepting the Budget Billing Agreement and then terminating the Agreement at a later date, for whatever reason, shall then be held liable for the full amount of the �exact usage� on their account.

7. Prepayment of Electric Bills

Prepayment of electric bills will be allowed, with no discount, for all classes of service.

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