We Are Not Allowed to Disconnect For:
lNon-basic service charges, such as for merchandise or services not regulated by the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
lAn old bill that was not properly transferred to your account when you applied for service.
lEstimated usage. But we can disconnect for this if you have refused to allow us to read a meter.
lWe will not disconnect if you or a doctor notify us of a medical emergency (see Medical Emergency below).

If you are a tenant:
   If you are a tenant and if your landlord asks us to disconnect or if your landlord does not pay the bill, we will issue you a notice and opportunity to put service in your own name. You do not have to pay the landlord's unpaid bill.

Disconnection of Service to a single-meter, Multi-unit dwelling
   Before disconnection for non-payment of a multi-unit rental property, we will enforce our lien rights in accordance with 35-A. Maine Revised Statutes Annotated, section 6111. A 250.00 charge covering lien notification, preparation, filling and processing will be added to the past due amount and included as part of the lien filling. This fee is in addition to any damages, cost, interest or attorneys' fees that may be awarded by the courts in any collection action.
   We may separately meter each dwelling unit, at the landlord's expense, if the dwelling is disconnected for nonpayment of an overdue amount and charge the landlord the reconnection fee.

Disconnection Notice
   In most cases, we will notify you in writing at least 14 days before a stated disconnection date. But we are allowed to give you as few as three (3) working days notice if you've broken a payment plan, failed to pay a deposit, paid with a bad check or received service without applying to become a customer. We can disconnect without notice only if there is unauthorized use (meter tampering) or a dangerous condition.
   A notice is good for ten (10) business days after the disconnection date stated on it. The ten (10) days may be extended if you refuse to give us access to the meter or other device to turn off service.
   The disconnection notice will tell you what to do to avoid disconnection and how you can dispute your bill or the disconnection itself.
   We will not disconnect service on a Friday, a weekend, a legal holiday, the day before a holiday or on any day our office is not open for business.

When You Want Service Disconnected
   You must give us at least seven days notice when you want to disconnect your service. We can bill you for service until you give the required notice or we disconnect, whichever is first.
 

RECONNECTION

   We must reconnect service again promptly - during the business hours on the same day you ask, or at the latest during the next business day - provided you have paid your overdue bill or have agreed to a payment plan. This payment plan will be based on your previous payment history. We can also charge you a deposit equal to two billing periods if you are disconnected for nonpayment, unauthorized use or theft of service. When both a deposit and the unpaid bill are required, you can pay the smaller amount in full and enter a payment plan on the larger amount.
   The reconnection fee is $15.00 for each resumption of service made during normal business hours of 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.., if it is necessary for the utility to visit the premises to connect the service. The charge during other than normal business hours will be $30.00
 

MEDICAL EMERGENCES

   We will not disconnect service or refuse to reconnect it when you or someone in your house is seriously ill, provided a registered physician confirms that an emergency exists. if you cannot get a doctor to call right away, you may let us know yourself. We will wait three (3) work days for the doctor to call or write us. We can require written certification from the doctor; including specific reasons why service is necessary and how long the emergency will last. Disconnection can be postponed due to a medical emergency for up to 30 days, and can be renewed up to 90 days.
   A medical emergency does not cancel the bill. We will refer you to financial assistance agencies and ask you to negotiate a reasonable payment plan.


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