About Us Our Policies

Residential:

• Homeowner: Two times the home’s average monthly bill, with a minimum deposit of $200
• Rental: Two times the rental unit’s average monthly bill, with a minimum deposit of $200
• Mobile Homes: Two times the mobile home’s average monthly bill, with a minimum deposit of $200
• Prepay: $60 deposit, with a minimum initial $50 purchase of electricity

Commercial:

• Two times the average monthly bill

All service connections and transfers are subject to a $20 non-refundable fee.

• Collection notice: $15
• Meter pulled for non-payment: $15
• Reconnect: $15
• Returned checks: $20
• Services after hours: $40
• Temporary service: $25 (non refundable)
• After-hours work for problems not caused by Ripley Power and Light: $40/hr
• Work on theft case (including court appearance): $40/hr

Anyone found stealing electricity or tampering with a meter or meter base will be prosecuted! There is a $100 minimum charge for theft of electricity or meter tampering, plus court costs, estimated usage, reconnect fee and service charge for theft case.

Any customer who has given a bad check to Ripley Power and Light Company for the second time will no longer be able to pay any bill by check.

Any customer who has had his or her service discontinued at least two times during a twelve month period for non-payment of a utility bill will be required to change their service to prepay if they are not already on prepay.

If a location is unoccupied (with no electricity for 12 months) we require an electrical permit before tile meter can be set.

1. Scope

This Schedule of Rules and Regulations is a part of all contracts for receiving electric service from Distributor, and applies to all service received from Distributor, whether the service is based upon contract, agreement, signed application, or otherwise. A copy of this schedule, together with a copy of Distributor's rate schedule shall be kept open to inspection at the offices of Distributor and will be communicated to the public by electronic Media (www.ripleypower.com). Such information will also be discussed with new customers at the time of application. All retail rate actions initiated by Distributor will be communicated to the public through printed media or electronic media.

2. Application for Service

Each prospective Customer desiring electric service is required to sign Distributor's standard form of application for service or contract before the Distributor supplies service.

3. Deposit

A deposit or suitable guarantee not exceeding twice the average monthly bill for the last twelve months will be required of any Customer before electric service is supplied. We do not accept installment payments on deposits. For new locations, where a billing history does not exist, the deposit will be estimated based on projected demand and energy loading for the customer.

Deposits greater than customer's average monthly bill and retained longer than twelve months shall earn interest. Accrued interest will be added to the deposit balance on an annual basis.

Deposit interest will be determined by Ripley Power and Light Company's primary bank account. Upon termination of service, deposit and accrued interest will be applied by distributor against unpaid bills of customers, and if any balance remains after such application is made, said balance shall be refunded to Customer.

4. Point of Delivery

The point of delivery is the point, as designated by Distributor, on Customer's premises where current is to be delivered to building or premises. All wiring and equipment beyond this point of delivery shall be provided and maintained by Customer at no expense to Distributor.

5. Customer's Wiring Standards

All wiring of Customer must conform to Distributor's requirements and accepted modern standards, as exemplified by the requirement of the National Electrical Safety Code and the National Electrical Code and approved by the State Electrical Inspector.

6. Inspections

Distributor shall have the right, but shall not be obligated, to inspect any installation before electricity is introduced or at any later time, and reserves the right to reject any wiring or appliances not in accordance with Distributor's standards; but such inspection or failure to inspect or reject shall not render Distributor liable or responsible for any loss or damage resulting from defects in the installation, wiring, or appliances, or from violation of Distributor's rules, or from accidents which may occur upon Customer's premises.

7. Underground Service Lines

Customers desiring underground service from Distributor's overhead system must have their contractor open the trench and install the conduit from the residence or commercial location to the location indicated by Distributor's representative. Distributor recommends but customer has the option to add a spare conduit in case the first conduit is damaged in the future.

Customer may have their electrical contractor install secondary service wire or can elect to have the Distributor install the service wire. In the event that Distributor installs service wire for Customer, the Customer will be responsible for the cost of the service wire and installation cost. The Customer will maintain sole ownership of the service wire and conduit once installed and will be responsible for any repair or replacement in the future.

8. Customer's Responsibility for Distributor's Property

All meters, service connections, and other equipment furnished by Distributor shall be, remain, the property of Distributor. Customer shall provide a space for and exercise proper care to protect the property of Distributor on its premises, and in the event of loss or damage to Distributor's property arising from neglect of Customer to care for same, the cost of the necessary repairs or replacements shall be paid by Customer.

9. Right of Access

Distributor's identified employees shall have access to Customer's premises at all reasonable times for the purpose of reading meters, testing, repairing, removing, or exchanging any or all equipment belonging to Distributor.

10. Billing

Bills will be rendered monthly with a net payment period of 15 days for residential customer and 10 days for all other classes of service. Bills shall be paid at the office of Distributor or at other locations designated by Distributor. Failure to receive bill will not release Customer from payment obligation. Should bills not be paid by due date specified on bill, Distributor may at any time thereafter, upon five (5) days' written notice to Customer, discontinue service. Bills paid after due date specified on bill may be subject to additional charges. Should the due date of bill fall on a weekend or holiday, the next business day following the due date will be held as a day of grace for delivery of payment. Remittances received by mail after the due date will not be subject to such additional charges if the incoming envelope bears the United States Postal Service date stamp of the due date or any date prior thereto.

11. Discontinuance of Service by Distributor

Distributor may refuse to connect or may discontinue service for the violation of any of its Rules and Regulations, or for violation of any of the provisions of the Schedule of Rates and Charges, or of the application of Customer or contract with Customer. Distributor may discontinue service to Customer for the theft of current or the appearance of current theft devices on the premises of Customer. The discontinuance of service by Distributor for any causes as stated in this rule does not release Customer from his obligation to Distributor for the payment of minimum bills as specified in application of Customer or contract with Customer. Distributor will not disconnect residential customers for nonpayment on any days the forecasted high based on the National Weather Service is below 32 degrees F or above 100 degrees F. In no case will discontinuance of service be suspended for more than three consecutive business clays. Upon Distributor's approval of the Medical Form for Certification of use of Life Sustaining Medical Device and upon request by customer prior to disconnection, disconnection of service will be postponed for up to three (3) days from the original scheduled disconnection date up to 2 times per year to make suitable arrangements. Customers must furnish new Medical Form for Certification of use of Life Sustaining Medical Device every year to qualify for this program. Prepay customers are not eligible for this postponement.

12. Late Notices and Unpaid Balances

Distributor will mail late notices or use door hangers to notify customers whose bills are unpaid after the due date. Late notice will include the rights and remedies for customer to dispute a bill. If electronic notification is available, customers desiring to receive electronic termination notices must enroll in Distributor' s electronic notice program if available by completing the applicable form and consenting to its terms and conditions. Late payment charges shall not exceed 5 percent for any portion of the bill paid after the due date. Customers with unpaid balances 6 days after past due date are subject to discontinuance of service without further notice.

13. Connection, Reconnection, and Disconnection Charges

Distributor may establish and collect standard charges to cover the reasonable cost, including administration, of connecting or reconnecting service, or disconnecting service as provided above. Higher charges may be established and collected when connections and reconnections are pe1formed after normal office hours, or when special circumstances warrant.

14. Termination of Contract by Customer

Customers who have fulfilled their contract terms and wish to discontinue service must give at least three (3) days' written notice to that effect, unless contract specifies otherwise. Notice to discontinue service prior to expiration of contract term will not relieve Customer from any minimum or guaranteed payment under any contract or rate.

15. Service Charges for Temporary Service

Customers requiring electric service on a temporary basis may be required by Distributor to pay all costs for connection and disconnection incidental to the supplying and removing of service. This rule applies to circuses, carnivals, fairs, temporary construction, and the like.

16. Interruption of Service

Distributor will use reasonable diligence in supplying current, but shall not be liable for breach of contract in the event of, or for loss, injury, or damage to persons or property resulting from, interruptions in service, excessive or inadequate voltage, single-phasing, or otherwise unsatisfactory service, whether or not caused by negligence.

17. Shortage of Electricity

In the event of an emergency or other condition causing a shortage in the amount of electricity for Distributor to meet the demand on its system, Distributor may, by an allocation method deemed equitable by Distributor, fix the amount of electricity to be made available for use by Customer and/or may otherwise restrict the time during which Customer may make use of electricity and the uses which Customer may make of electricity. If such actions become necessary, Customer may request a variance because of unusual circumstances including matters adversely affecting the public health, safety and welfare. If Customer fails to comply with such allocation or restriction, Distributor may take such remedial actions as it deems appropriate under the circumstances including temporarily disconnecting electric service and charging additional amounts because of the excess use of electricity. The provisions of the section entitled Interruption of Service of this Schedule of Rules and Regulations are applicable to any such allocation or restriction.

18. Voltage Fluctuations Caused by Customer

Electric service must not be used in such a manner as to cause unusual fluctuations or disturbances to Distributor's system. Distributor may require Customer, at his own expense, to install suitable apparatus, which will reasonably limit such fluctuations.

19. Additional Load

The service connection, transformers, meters, and equipment supplied by Distributor for each Customer have definite capacity, and no addition to the equipment or load connected thereto will be allowed except by consent of Distributor. Failure to give notice of additions or changes in load, and to obtain Distributor's consent for same, shall render Customer liable for any damage to any of Distributor's lines or equipment caused by the additional or changed installation.

20. Standby and Resale Service

All purchased electric service (other than emergency or standby service) used on the premises of Customer shall be supplied exclusively by Distributor, and Customer shall not, directly or indirectly, sell, sublet, assign, or otherwise dispose of the electric service or any part thereof.

21. Notice of Trouble

Customer shall notify Distributor immediately should the service be unsatisfactory for any reason, or should there be any defects, trouble, or accidents affecting the supply of electricity. Such notices, if verbal, should be confirmed in writing.

22. Non-Standard Service

Customer shall pay the cost of any special installation necessary to meet his peculiar requirements for service at other than standard voltages, or for the supply of closer voltage regulation than required by standard practice.

23. Meter Tests

Distributor will, at its own expense, make periodical tests and inspections of its meters in order to maintain a high standard of accuracy. Distributor will make additional tests or inspections of its meters at the request of Customer. If tests made at Customer's requests show that the meter is accurate within two percent (2%), slow or fast, no adjustment will be made in Customer's bill, and Customer will pay Distributor's standard testing charge. In case the test shows meter to be in excess of two percent (2%) fast or slow, an adjustment shall be made in Customer's bill over a period of not over thirty (30) days prior to date of such test, and cost of making test shall be borne by Distributor.

24. Relocation of Outdoor Lighting Facilities

Distributor shall, at the request of Customer, relocate or change existing Distributor-owned equipment. Customer shall reimburse Distributor for such changes at actual cost including appropriate overheads.

25. Revisions

These Rules and Regulations may be revised, amended, supplemented, or otherwise changed from time to time, without notice. Such changes, when effective, shall have the same force as the present Rules and Regulations.

26. Conflict

In case of conflict between any provision of any rate schedule and the Schedule of Rules and Regulations, the rate schedule shall apply.

27. Information to Customers

Upon request by the customer, distributor will make available a customer's energy consumption data for the prior 12 months period or information concerning deposit with accrued interest.

28. Prepay Service Option

Customers may select the optional prepay service (see prepay policy for details). In the event that the prepay service option is selected, the following provisions of this Schedule of Rules and Regulations may not apply or may be modified in conformance with the prepay policy: Paragraph 2, Application for Service; Paragraph 3, Deposits; Paragraph l 0, Billing; Paragraph 12, Late Notices and Unpaid Balances.

29. Other Charges

ln the event of a customer request for a service employee to come to their residence or business for an electrical problem and the problem turns out not to be a Ripley Power and Light Company problem the customer will be charged $50 on their next monthly bill. Ripley Power and Light Company personnel will attempt to help the customer make sure that the problem is not their problem over the phone before going onsite.

Any person wishing to speak and offer comments during a meeting of the Ripley Power and Light System board must comply with the following guidelines: 

To request to speak, the person must contact Ripley Power and Light by calling 731-635-2323 before 12:00 pm on the business day before the scheduled meeting and provide his or her name and service address. 

The first five people to properly request to speak will be able to provide comments at the beginning of the meeting.  All speakers are limited to two minutes, and comments must be limited to items on the meeting agenda. Distribution of written material is at the discretion of the board chair and must be provided at the time the speaker makes an appointment to speak (at least one day before the meeting). 

The topics are limited to issues regarding the utility or any agenda items.  If the speaker wishes to provide hand out material, he/she must bring to the meeting the correct number of copies to distribute to the board members.  The customer must allow the utility staff an opportunity to provide additional information based upon their materials.