Services, Rights & Responsibilities

As a member of Lane Electric, our goal is to make sure that we do everything possible to provide reliable and safe electric service. One of the key components to providing high quality service is being able to access and read our electric meters. It is for this reason that the following information is included not only on our web site, but in our membership information as well.

Please take a moment to review this important information for Lane Electric Members:

Membership

Accepting electrical service from Lane Electric Cooperative signifies your agreement to comply with, and be bound by, the articles of adopted by the board. Applicants will pay a membership fee, which will be returned to them as a credit on their final bill upon termination of service. In addition, credit will need to be established or a deposit made for connection of service and a service connection fee will apply.

Access

It is the responsibility of the member to provide reasonable and safe access for Cooperative personnel and contractors to read the meters and/or to service and maintain the meters and cooperative plant located on the member’s property.

Billings

Lane Electric will attempt to read meters as close to the same date as possible each month. If a reading can not be obtained, an estimated reading will be determined and used to calculate the bill for that month.

Electric bills are due and payable when received and become past due if payment is not made to Lane Electric by the date shown on the front of the bill. Prompt and timely payment is always appreciated. A $5.00 late fee will be charged to the members account if the payment is more than 60 days delinquent.

A returned check fee of $20 will be charged to the member’s account for each check returned to Lane Electric by any financial institution.

Third Party Designation

Members may designate a person, other than themselves, (third-party), to receive billings and notices related to their account.

Capital Credits:

As a member of lane Electric, you are also an owner. Each time you pay your bill you are making an investment in your cooperative. This excess capital is the only form of equity a consumer owned utility has. As the equity accumulates it is assigned to each member's Capital Credits account. These credits are returned to members on approximately a 15-20 year delayed cycle. At the end of each year the Board reviews the financial condition of the co-op and decides whether or not finances will allow a return of the excess funds from past years to the members.

Termination& Disconnect of Service

Service may be terminated by the member with five working days notice in advance of the effective termination date. Termination may occur with notice for violation of Lane Electric’s service policy, failure to pay electric service charges, and violations of contract provisions or rate schedules. Termination may occur without notice in dangerous or emergency conditions or for the theft or illegal diversion of current.

Limits On Service Disconnects:

If a licensed physician states that loss of electric service will significantly endanger the physical health of a person living in the member’s household and will certify in writing that an electrical medical device is in operation, Lane Electric will not disconnect the service.

If Lane Electric postpones disconnection and does not receive written certification or the certification expires, Lane Electric may proceed with disconnection after providing notice to the member as required.

Residential service will not be disconnected on weekends or holidays. Service to a residential electric account will not be denied or disconnected due to delinquencies or violations at another account of the same member, if the other account is a commercial account.