Hutchinson Utilities Commission
225 Michigan ST SE
Hutchinson, MN 55350-1905
Office: (320) 587-4746
Fax: (320) 587-4721
Monday - Friday
7:30 am to 4:00 pm
POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS BROCHURE
ESTABLISHING A NEW ELECTRIC ACCOUNT
DEPOSIT REQUIREMENT - RESIDENTIAL
DEPOSIT REQUIREMENT - COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL
TERMINATING ELECTRIC/Natural Gas SERVICE BY CUSTOMER
DEFINITION OF YOUR BILL
PAYMENT OF YOUR BILL
EXPLANATION OF BILLING PROCEDURE
AUTOMATIC BILL PAYMENT PLAN
Budget Payment Plan
ERRORS IN BILLING
DISCONNECTION OF RESIDENTIAL SERVICES BY UTILITIES
DISCONNECTION OF COMMERCIAL SERVICES BY UTILITIES
LANDLORD ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
MINNESOTA COLD WEATHER RULE
MINNESOTA GOVERNMENT DATA PRACTICES ACT AND PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST
INSERTS WITH UTILITY BILLS
IDENTITY THEFT "RED FLAG PROGRAM"
POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS BROCHURE
This Policies and Requirements brochure is provided for the convenience of our customers. Every attempt has been made to provide the customer with accurate information regarding the policies and requirements of HUC as of the date of this brochure. HUC reserves the right to change its policies at any time and to adopt new and amended policies when, in its sole discretion is deemed necessary to do so. HUC also reserves the right to make exceptions to the policies and requirements in this brochure when, in the sole discretion of HUC is deemed necessary to do so. Individual issues regarding service by HUC are encouraged to contact HUC.
ESTABLISHING A NEW ELECTRIC ACCOUNT
New services and meters are read or installed only during normal business hours. A new service installation requires a 24-hour notice.
DEPOSIT REQUIREMENT - RESIDENTIAL
New Residential Customers:
An application for service shall be filled out within 30 days of receiving service. The application for service shall be accompanied with identification, preferably photo identification. In addition, a deposit is required for all new residential customers, prior to the utilities being placed in their name.
A deposit will only be waived if the customer provides information regarding their payment history from their current or previous provider, and the payment history indicates the customer paid all of their bills on time with no late payment fees attached, and no dishonored checks. The customer is responsible for supplying a satisfactory credit reference to HUC. The payment history will look at the previous 12 months.
An internal credit check is performed for all customers moving into HUC service territory. If the results of the credit check indicate the customer owes HUC due to previously provided services, then the outstanding balance shall be paid plus a deposit, prior to the customer receiving service.
Existing Residential Customers Moving Within Service Territory:
A deposit will be waived if the customer has a 12 month payment history with HUC indicating the customer has not been disconnected or issued any dishonored checks..
A deposit for existing residential customers moving within HUC service territory will be required prior to customer having utilities placed in their name for the following reasons:
1. If the customer has been disconnected or issued any dishonored checks in the previous 12 months.
2. Subsequent credit information indicates the initial application for service was falsified.
3. The customer has the ability to pay for the utility service, but during the cold weather rule months, had an arrears amount incurred during that period that was 60 days or more past due.
If a deposit is required of a customer and;
1. If customer has no deposit with HUC, the customer will pay the deposit amount for the customer's new address.
2. If customer already has a deposit with HUC and this deposit amount is greater than the new deposit required for customer's new address, HUC will transfer the deposit from the customer's previous address to the customer's new address. The balance of the deposit at the customer's previous address will be applied to the customer's final bill for the customer's previous address.
3. If customer already has a deposit with HUC and this deposit amount is less than the new deposit required for customer's new address, HUC will transfer the deposit from the customer's previous address to the customer's new address. The customer will pay the balance of the deposit amount for the customer's new address, prior to the utilities being placed in their name.
If a deposit is required of a customer, and the customer would like a written explanation as to why they need to make a deposit, then one will be provided.
Amount of Deposit:
If a deposit is required, it shall be equal to two times the average monthly bill, based on HUC rates.
In the event of a new house, mobile home, or apartment building with no billing history, then similar construction will be used to establish the average monthly bill, based on HUC rates.
Refusal or Disconnection of Service:
Residential service may be refused or disconnected for failure to pay a deposit request.
Interest:
Interest earned on deposits is applied to the account as a credit on a calendar year basis.
When customer moves out of our services, the account is finaled out with interest applied to the account as credit, and the deposit amount is applied to the final bill. If this results in a credit balance, a check is issued to the customer for that credit amount.
The rate of interest is determined by the Minnesota Department of Commerce and HUC obtains that information annually.
Refund:
The utility shall refund the deposit of a residential customer after 12 consecutive months of on-time payments (no late payment fees).
If a customer is late in making payment, then the deposit will be retained, until such time as the customer makes 12 consecutive monthly on-time payments (no late payment fees).
If the customer provides a payment history from their previous provider, and the payment history indicates no late payment fees and no dishonored checks, then HUC will refund the deposit. HUC must receive this information from the customer within 30 days of customer moving into our services.
Method of Refund:
Any deposit or portion thereof refunded to a residential customer shall be refunded by check. Any interest earned will be applied to customer's account as a credit.
Refund at Termination of Service:
On termination of residential service, and if the customer has a deposit with HUC, HUC shall credit the deposit, with accrued interest, to the customer's final bill and return the balance within 30 days of issuing the final bill.
DEPOSIT REQUIREMENT - COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL
Commercial/Industrial Customers:
An application for service shall be filled out within 30 days of receiving service. The application shall be accompanied with identification, preferably photo identification, and their Federal Tax ID number. In addition, a deposit is required for all Commercial/Industrial customers, prior to the utilities being placed in their name.
An internal credit check is performed for all customers moving into HUC service territory. If the results of the credit check indicate the customer owes HUC due to previously provided services, then the outstanding balance shall be paid plus a deposit, prior to the customer receiving service.
Existing Commercial/Industrial Customers Moving Within Service Territory:
A deposit will be waived if the Commercial/Industrial customer has a 24-month payment history with HUC indicating the Commercial/Industrial customer has not been disconnected or issued any dishonored checks.
A deposit for existing Commercial/Industrial customers moving within HUC service territory will be required prior, to customer having utilities placed in their name, for the following reasons:
1. If the customer has been disconnected or issued any dishonored checks in the previous 24 months.
2. Subsequent credit information indicates the initial application for service was falsified.
If a deposit is required of a customer and;
1. If customer has no deposit with HUC, the customer will pay the deposit amount for the customer's new address.
2. If customer already has a deposit with HUC and this deposit amount is greater than the new deposit required for customer's new address, HUC will transfer the deposit from the customer's previous address to the customer's new address. The balance of the deposit at the customer's previous address will be applied to the customer's final bill for the customer's previous address.
3. IIf customer already has a deposit with HUC and this deposit amount is less than the new deposit required for customer's new address, HUC will transfer the deposit from the customer's previous address to the customer's new address. The customer will pay the balance of the deposit amount for the customer's new address, prior to the utilities being placed in their name.
If a deposit is required of a customer, and the customer would like a written explanation as to why they need to make a deposit, then one will be provided.
Amount of Deposit:
The deposit shall be equal to one and one-half times the average monthly usage based on HUC rates. Average is defined as the average monthly customers usage based on HUC rates of the previous 12 months.
The deposit may also be made by posting a performance bond. The performance bond will not earn any interest. The performance bond will be terminated after 24 consecutive months of timely payments.
In the event of a new building with no billing history, then similar construction will be used to establish the average monthly usage.
Refusal or Disconnection of Service:
Commercial/Industrial service may be refused or disconnected for failure to pay a deposit request.
Interest:
Interest earned on deposits is applied to the account as a credit on a calendar year basis.
When Commercial/Industrial customer moves out of our services, the account is finaled out with interest applied to the account as credit, and the deposit amount is applied to the final bill. If this results in a credit balance, a check is issued to the customer for that credit amount.
The rate of interest is determined by the Minnesota Department of Commerce and HUC obtains that information annually.
Refund:
HUC shall refund the deposit of a Commercial/Industrial customer after 24 consecutive months of on-time payments (no late payment fees).
If a customer is late in making payment, then the deposit will be retained, until such time as the customer makes 24 consecutive monthly on-time payments (no late payment fees).
Method of Refund:
Any deposit or portion thereof refunded to a Commercial/Industrial customer shall be refunded by check.
Refund at Termination of Service:
On termination of Commercial/Industrial service, and if the customer has a deposit with HUC, HUC shall credit the deposit, with accrued interest, to the customer's final bill and return the balance within 30 days of issuing the final bill.
TERMINATING ELECTRIC/Natural Gas SERVICE BY CUSTOMER
When the utility service is shut off due to a customer's request, the electric meter will be removed and the gas meter will be turned off and locked. The electric meter socket and gas meter valve will have a blue seal placed on them.
At the time a customer requests the service be turned on, utility personnel will install the electric meter and unlock the natural gas meter valve.
It is the customer's responsibility to turn on the natural gas meter valve and to light the pilot lights on all natural gas appliances, where appropriate. In the event the customer is unable to perform these tasks, it is the customer's responsibility to contact a plumbing or heating contractor to complete this work.
Upon the request of a customer, utility services may be temporarily terminated and billing suspended for a specified period of time due to illness, vacation, and/or seasonal use. Temporary terminations are not charged to the customer. Please contact our customer service department for further information.
A. Termination For Renters
Electric and Natural Gas meters will be read and the final bill calculated when a renter informs HUC they no longer wish to retain our services.
B. Termination For Residential/Commercial Owners
Electric and Natural Gas will be shut off when the property owner requests HUC to disconnect services. For continuous service the new owner must call HUC 24 to 48 hours in advance of the requested disconnect date, and make the necessary arrangements to have the electric/natural gas services transferred into their name. This eliminates terminating services at that address.
C. Termination For Electrical Work
If a homeowner needs an electric meter disconnected to do any electrical work, HUC will disconnect/reconnect the meter at no charge to the customer. Once the work is completed, HUC will need a copy of the State Board of Electricity Certificate of Inspection, before HUC will reconnect the electric meter.
DEFINITION OF YOUR BILL
Your bill provides:
Meters are read approximately every 30 days. Estimated readings may also be taken if access to the meter is not possible or the meter has stopped working.
PAYMENT OF YOUR BILL
Payments are due by the date shown on the statement. Payments may be made by cash, check, money order, VISA/Master Card, (VISA/Master Card payments can only be accepted during business hours) automatic bank payment plan, or online at www.hutchinsonutilities.com. Check and money orders must be for the exact amounts, no change will be given on a check, money order or credit card. No second party or post-dated checks will be accepted. Checks will not be held.
A dishonored check is treated as a non-payment. If notification of the dishonored check is received by HUC, the customer will be charged a $30 processing fee.
During Business Office Hours, customers may present payments at either the Business Office or via HUC's drive-up window. Both options for payment are located at 225 Michigan Street SE, Hutchinson, MN. Additionally, HUC currently provides the following locations for customers to deposit payments via a drop box: Cash Wise Foods or Hutchinson City Center or HUC's business office located at 225 Michigan Street Southeast.
EXPLANATION OF BILLING PROCEDURE
A bill for services is sent to the address provided by the customer approximately 3 to 5 days after the meters have been read. The customer then has approximately 10 days to pay the bill in full by the due date. In accordance with state law, the City of Hutchinson and its related entities shall have 35 days to pay bills in full.
Bills paid after the due date will incur the following charges:
An dishonored check will be assessed a $30 processing fee; plus:
a. A $40 trip charge to deliver a door hanger, giving customer 24 hours to make check good with cash, money order or credit card.
b. A $40 trip charge to disconnect if payment is not received with cash, money order or credit card.
c. A $40 trip charge to reconnect, payment shall be made with cash, money order or credit card.
AUTOMATIC BILL PAYMENT PLAN
Payments may be made directly from withdrawals out of a checking or savings account. These payments are withdrawn on the date the bill is due. The customer must fill out an Authorization for Automatic Payment form supplied by HUC's Business Office. The customer will receive their monthly utility billing statement showing the payment amount to be withdrawn. The customer may contact our Customer Service Department before the amount is withdrawn if they don't agree with the billing or have any questions. The customer will have approximately 10 days to review their bill before the money is withdrawn.
If a customer's payment is dishonored for two consecutive months, that customer will be removed from the automatic payment plan. A service charge of $30.00 is assessed to customer's account for each dishonored payment occurrence.
Budget Payment Plan
A budget payment plan is available for residential customers. Procedures are in place for setting up and reviewing the budget payment plan calculation. Changes are made at the discretion of the customer service department based on the customer's average bill from the previous 12 months. Customers will be notified of any changes. The budget plan and automatic bank payment plan can be done at the same time.
ERRORS IN BILLING
Overcharged customers will be credited on the next statement or refunded on their final billing. Any adjustments resulting in a credit greater than three (3) months billing will be refunded by check.
Overcharges will not be refunded for any errors exceeding two (2) years from the date of notice by the customer.
Undercharged customers will be billed for any errors not exceeding two (2) years from the date of notice, and will be billed on a separate invoice, with an explanation of charges.
DISCONNECTION OF Residential SERVICES BY UTILITIES
1. Residential utility service shall be disconnected for any of the following reasons:
2. HUC must have a Landlord Agreement on file acknowledging that landlord/owner will be responsible for all utility charges after the read out date requested by a tenant. Failure of the landlord/owner to execute this form will lead to a shut off of services on the read-out date requested from tenant.
3. For all items mentioned in number 1 and 2 above, a disconnect/reconnect fee shall be applied. The disconnect/reconnect fee is as follows:
4. In the event of unauthorized use of, or tampering with the equipment of HUC. A tampering charge of $100 will be assessed to the customer's account. The appropriate law enforcement agency will be notified. HUC reserves the right to charge the customer for the cost of repairs to the equipment of HUC.
5. A dishonored check will be assessed a $30 processing fee; plus:
6. HUC is not required to furnish residential service under conditions requiring operation in parallel with generating equipment connected to the customer's system if such operation is hazardous or may interfere with its own operations or service to other customers or operation as a condition or rendering service under such circumstances. For additional information, see HUC's Parallel Generation Policy.
FAILURE TO RESPOND TO THE DISCONNECT NOTICE SET FORTH ON THE BILL OR FAILURE TO PAY FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY HUC MAY RESULT IN THE DISCONNECTION OF SERVICES TO THE PROPERTY WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL NOTICE TO THE CUSTOMER. IT IS THE CUSTOMER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR SERVICES RENDERED AND TO ADVISE HUC OF ANY CHANGE IN ADDRESS. NEITHER HUC NOR THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON, NOR ANY OF THE AGENTS, EMPLOYEES OR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON OR HUC, WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR CLAIMS INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE DISCONNECTION OF SERVICES.
Residential utility service may not be disconnected or refused for any of the following reasons:
DISCONNECTION OF COMMERCIALSERVICES BY UTILITIES
1. Commercial utility service shall be disconnected for any of the following reasons:
2. HUC must have a Landlord Agreement on file acknowledging that landlord/owner will be responsible for all utility charges after the read out date requested by a tenant. Failure of the landlord/owner to execute this form will lead to a shut off of services on the read-out date requested from tenant.
3. For all items mentioned in number 1 and 2 above, a disconnect/reconnect fee shall be applied. The disconnect/reconnect fee is as follows:
4. In the event of unauthorized use of, or tampering with the equipment of HUC. A tampering charge of $100 will be assessed to the customer's account. The appropriate law enforcement agency will be notified. HUC reserves the right to charge the customer for the cost of repairs to the equipment of HUC.
5. A dishonored check will be assessed a $30 processing fee; plus:
6. HUC is not required to furnish commercial service under conditions requiring operation in parallel with generating equipment connected to the customer's system if such operation is hazardous or may interfere with its own operations or service to other customers or operation as a condition or rendering service under such circumstances. For additional information, see HUC's Parallel Generation Policy.
FAILURE TO RESPOND TO THE DISCONNECT NOTICE SET FORTH ON THE BILL OR FAILURE TO PAY FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY HUC MAY RESULT IN THE DISCONNECTION OF SERVICES TO THE PROPERTY WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL NOTICE TO THE CUSTOMER. IT IS THE CUSTOMER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR SERVICES RENDERED AND TO ADVISE HUC OF ANY CHANGE IN ADDRESS. NEITHER HUC NOR THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON, NOR ANY OF THE AGENTS, EMPLOYEES OR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CITY OF HUTCHINSON OR HUC, WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR CLAIMS INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE DISCONNECTION OF SERVICES.
Commercial utility service may not be disconnected or refused for any of the following reasons:
LANDLORD ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
A signed Landlord Acknowledgement provides the following:
mINNESOTA COLD WEATHER RULE
2009 MINNESOTA STATUTES
216B.097 COLD WEATHER RULE; COOPERATIVE OR MUNICIPAL UTILITY.
Subdivision 1. Application; notice to residential customer.
(a) A municipal utility or a cooperative electric association must not disconnect and must reconnect the utility service of a residential customer during the period between October 15 and April 15 if the disconnection affects the primary heat source for the residential unit and all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The household income of the customer is at or below 50 percent of the state median household income. A municipal utility or cooperative electric association utility may (i) verify income on forms it provides or (ii) obtain verification of income from the local energy assistance provider. A customer is deemed to meet the income requirements of this clause if the customer receives any form of public assistance, including energy assistance, that uses an income eligibility threshold set at or below 50 percent of the state median household income.
(2) A customer enters into and makes reasonably timely payments under a payment agreement that considers the financial resources of the household.
(3) A customer receives referrals to energy assistance, weatherization, conservation, or other programs likely to reduce the customer's energy bills.
(b) A municipal utility or a cooperative electric association must, between August 15 and October 15 each year, notify all residential customers of the provisions of this section.
Subd. 2. Notice to residential customer facing disconnection.
Before disconnecting service to a residential customer during the period between October 15 and April 15, a municipal utility or cooperative electric association must provide the following information to a customer:
(1) a notice of proposed disconnection;
(2) a statement explaining the customer's rights and responsibilities;
(3) a list of local energy assistance providers;
(4) forms on which to declare inability to pay; and
(5) a statement explaining available time payment plans and other opportunities to secure continued utility service.
Subd. 3. Restrictions if disconnection necessary.
(a) If a residential customer must be involuntarily disconnected between October 15 and April 15 for failure to comply with subdivision 1, the disconnection must not occur:
(1) on a Friday, unless the customer declines to enter into a payment agreement offered that day in person or via personal contact by telephone by a municipal utility or cooperative electric association;
(2) on a weekend, holiday, or the day before a holiday;
(3) when utility offices are closed; or
(4) after the close of business on a day when disconnection is permitted, unless a field representative of a municipal utility or cooperative electric association who is authorized to enter into a payment agreement, accept payment, and continue service, offers a payment agreement to the customer.
Further, the disconnection must not occur until at least 20 days after the notice required in subdivision 2 has been mailed to the customer or 15 days after the notice has been personally delivered to the customer.
(b) If a customer does not respond to a disconnection notice, the customer must not be disconnected until the utility investigates whether the residential unit is actually occupied. If the unit is found to be occupied, the utility must immediately inform the occupant of the provisions of this section. If the unit is unoccupied, the utility must give seven days' written notice of the proposed disconnection to the local energy assistance provider before making a disconnection.
(c) If, prior to disconnection, a customer appeals a notice of involuntary disconnection, as provided by the utility's established appeal procedure, the utility must not disconnect until the appeal is resolved.
Subd. 4. Application to service limiters.
For the purposes of this section, "disconnection" includes a service or load limiter or any device that limits or interrupts electric service in any way.
MINNESOTA GOVERNMENT DATA PRACTICES ACT AND PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST
Hutchinson Utilities Commission is in compliance with Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and Public Records Request.
Billing information is available upon signing 'Consent To Release Private Data' form. Forms are available at the office of Hutchinson Utilities Commission.
Business information is available upon signing 'Information Disclosure Request' form. Forms are available at the office of Hutchinson Utilities Commission.
INSERTS WITH UTILITY BILLS
Only material which applies directly to Hutchinson Utilities Commission business may be inserted into utility monthly envelopes, unless Hutchinson Utilities Commission gives prior approval for other items.
IDENTITY THEFT - "RED FLAG PROGRAM"
It shall be the policy of Hutchinson Utilities Commission to establish an identity theft program, also known as the "Red Flag Program".
Hutchinson Utilities Commission has an identity theft program in place called the "RED FLAG PROGRAM", pursuant to the Federal Trade Commission's Red Flags Rule, which implements Section 114 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003. Internal procedures have been established whereby employees of HUC have been trained on how to recognize and what procedures to follow if the employee suspects an identity theft is taking place.
Implementation of the Red Flag Program is the responsibility of the Account Supervisor.
Administration and maintenance of the Red Flag Program is the responsibility of the Customer/HR Manager.
