for electric and gas business customers

New Customers

A deposit may be required for new service for any of the following reasons:

• Unfavorable credit rating with a credit reporting agency
• There is an unpaid utility bill in your name and/or entity that accrued within the past six years
• Service was obtained illegally or equipment was tampered with
• Relief has been sought under federal bankruptcy laws within the past six years

Existing Customers

A deposit may be required for any of the following reasons:

• There was an unpaid utility bill in your name and/or business name within the past six years
• Service has been shut off for non-payment
• Service was obtained illegally or equipment was tampered with
• Two or more final disconnect notices have been issued within the last 12 months
• Unsatisfactory record of bill payment occurred within the first 6 months after service commenced

Deposit Amounts

• Large businesses (15,000 kWh or more of electric service and/or 2,000 CCF or more of gas service annually)
  
  The deposit amount will be 25% of your annual usage. Deposits required due to unauthorized use, tampering or energy theft will be based on four times the average peak season monthly bill.

• Smaller businesses (15,000 kWh or less of electric service and/or 2,000 CCF or less of gas service annually)
  
  The deposit amount will be 15% of your yearly usage.
  
  During the winter heating season (November 1st through March 31st), the deposit amount requested because utility service has been shut off for non-payment or unauthorized usage within the last 12 months will be the average monthly bill based on your premises.
  
  Deposit requirements for the non-winter heating season due to unauthorized use, tampering or energy theft will be based on four (4) times the average peak season monthly bill.

Interest and Refunds

Interest earned on your deposit is applied annually to your account. The deposit will be applied to the final bill or refunded with interest after 12 consecutive months in which the bills have been paid by the due date and no late fees have been assessed or shut-off notices issued.

Interest is paid at 7% per annum.

If utility service is terminated and the deposit has not already been returned, the deposit and accrued interest are applied to the final bill.  Any credit balance is refunded to you.

Deposits for reasons of tampering or unauthorized use are retained for 36 months. The deposit is refunded if you make satisfactory bill payments during the last 12 months of the 36 month period.