DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE BY DISTRICT:

It is a general policy of the District that the Customer Service Department shall make every effort to arrange a reasonable and feasible deferred payment program for the customer with a bona fide temporary financial difficulty, taking into consideration the size of the delinquent account, the customer's ability to pay, the length of time the bill has been unpaid, customer's past payment, and other relevant factors including those presented by the customer.  Arrangements for deferred payment may not be available to customers who have not fully and satisfactorily complied with a previous "arrangement" or to customers who have been repetitive credit problems to the District.  Details of the policy have been prepared to clearly define the steps to be taken by the District prior to termination of electric service to customers and to help ensure that the customers are provided every opportunity to avoid termination of service.  This policy was prepared in accordance with Title 1, Sections 113(b) (4) and 115(g) of the Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act of 1978.

The District is not responsible for the disconnection of communication services requested by established service providers.  The District will discontinue communication services to customers upon a request from their respective service provider.

1. Cause of Termination of Service

   Service shall be subject to termination provided one of the following applies:

   1. The customer fails to pay charges as agreed or as they become due.

   2. The customer fails to contact the Customer Accounting Department prior to the termination date indicated on the customer's termination notice.

   3. The customer issues a check for a delinquent charge and the check is not honored by the bank.

   4. The customer refuses to accept a certified letter regarding delinquent charges.

2. Notices of Proposed Termination of Service

   Prior to termination of service, the following actions shall be taken by the District:

   Termination Notice

   At least fifteen (15) days prior to the termination date, as determined by the District, a termination notice shall be mailed to the customer. The notice shall include the following information: (a) amount due, (b) final date for payment, (c) termination date, (d) reason for termination, (e) additional reconnection charges which the customer will be required to pay if disconnection occurs, (f) a summary of the customer's rights and remedies, and (g) notice that the customer must contact the District's Customer Accounting Department to avoid termination.

3. RIGHTS

   1. Informal Appeals

      Customers have the right to informally appeal termination of service through the Customer Accounting Department prior to the date of termination. The appeal may be made by telephone or in person during normal utility working hours.

      To substantiate the appeal, the customer is required to provide specific information such as amounts paid, dates, etc., and may be required to provide documentation such as a physician's statement, court decree, receipts, etc.

      If the matter cannot be resolved by the Customer Accounting Department, the customer shall be advised of the customer's right of a formal appeal.

      The customer must apply for a formal appeal through the Customer Accounting Department within 7 days prior to termination.

   2. Formal Appeal

      Upon request for a formal appeal, the Appeals Officer will establish a date for the appeal which will accommodate the schedules of the Officer, customer, and representative of the Accounting Department. The appeal shall not be scheduled later than one (1) week following the date of the request for formal appeal. Termination of service shall not occur, pending the decision by the Appeals Officer.

      The Appeals Officer shall be a District Administrator who is not a member of the Customer Accounting Department. The appointment of an Appeals Officer shall be made by the General Manager.

      The customer will be given the first opportunity to present information and relevant documentation regarding the dispute. The representative of the Customer Accounting Department will then present information and relevant documentation to support the department's position.

      The Officer will allow the customer and representative to respond to information and documentation presented. The Officer may also request additional information from either or both parties.

      The Officer shall provide the decision to both parties in writing. Failure of the customer to comply with the decision will constitute cause for termination of service upon 24-hour notice delivered to the service address.

   3. Special Consideration

      The District shall notify customers on the termination notice that customers who desire special consideration must register in person with the Customer Accounting Department if they are 62 years of age or older, handicapped, or if termination of service would jeopardize their health or the health of a member of the household.

      When the District becomes aware of such customers, the information will be entered in a permanent record within the Customer Accounting Department.

      Registered customers who are not able to pay their bills shall be referred to an appropriate social service agency for assistance. The termination process shall be postponed for 48 hours to allow the agency to review the matter and to propose an acceptable solution. If no acceptable solution is reached, termination will proceed in accordance with this policy.

      Registered customers, who are only able to pay the bill in installments, may apply for a deferred payment plan. The plan is available for residential customers who are not paying previous delinquencies on a deferred basis.

      Failure of a customer to pay as agreed shall be cause for termination of service within 24 hours.

4. General Provisions

   Normally a customer's service shall not be terminated on the day preceding a utility non-work day or during a period between November 15 and March 15, providing the customer has complied with the provisions of Chapter 54, Revised Code of Washington. The latter is referred to as "Winter Cut-Off Protection."

5. Declaration of Customer Bankruptcy

   The District will not alter, refuse or discontinue service to or discriminate against the customer solely on the basis of his commencement of a case under 11 USC 101, et seq., or solely on the basis that a debt owed by the customer to the District for service rendered before the order of relief was not paid when due. However, the District, at its discretion, may alter, refuse or discontinue service if neither the customer nor his representative, within twenty days after the date of the order for relief, furnishes adequate assurance of payment, in the form of a deposit or other security, for service after that date.