BUDGET BILLING

Any primary residential customer may request monthly budget billing at any time of the year. Contact WEC's Member Services Department to receive an application for the budget billing plan. The budget will be based on either the member's previous 12-month average use or the anticipated average use based on the consumption history for this service point, adjusted for any known additional charges or credits, and changes in rates and energy consumption, including anticipated length of occupancy.

How the Budget Billing Plan Works

Each budget billing statement will provide actual energy consumption information and charges, and state both the budget billing payment due and the actual account status, showing the unpaid balance or credit due. Approximately every three months after enrollment in the Cooperative's budget billing plan, the budget payment amount will be reviewed and compared to actual energy consumption during that period, and if necessary, the monthly budget payment will be increased or decreased to minimize any underpayment or overpayment by the member.

In August of each year, each budget billing account will be reconciled, and any balance remaining or credit due that is less than $50.00 will be applied to the member's budget payment schedule for the ensuing year. Any balance or credit remaining that is greater than $50.00 will be processed at the member's option as follows:

                 Balance Due:

A.     May be applied to the budget plan for the ensuing year, which will result in an increase in the monthly budget payment;

B.     May be paid in 12 equal monthly installments during the ensuing 12 months, or over a lesser time period, under a separate repayment agreement with the Cooperative's Billing Department.

                Credit Balance:

A.     May be applied to the budget plan for the ensuing year to reduce the monthly budget payment, or applied as a lump sum credit to the next monthly bill.

B.     May be refunded to the member upon written or verbal request to the Billing Department.

Any member with a delinquent balance who applies for budget billing shall have the option to either include the delinquent amount into the budget payment plan or pay the delinquency over an extended period under a separate repayment agreement concurrent with the budget plan. The terms of the repayment plan must be approved by WEC's Member Services Department.

Budget billing will continue until such time as the member gives the Cooperative 30 days' advance notice of their desire to terminate budget billing.

Members who dispute terms or conditions of the budget billing plan may seek advice and assistance from the Consumer Affairs Division of the Department of Public Service. Contact the Consumer Affairs Division at 1-800-622-4496 (in-state calls only) or (802) 828-2332, 112 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602, Monday through Friday (except holidays) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Assistance for the deaf is also available from the Department through a TDD/TTY machine by calling 1-800-734-8390, toll free within Vermont. (Vermont Public Service Department)