Princeton Municipal Light Department
RESIDENTIAL RATE (RR)
WACHUSETTS RESIDENTIAL (WR)
AVAILABILITY: Service under this rate is available for all domestic purposes in an individual private dwelling or an individual apartment. Incidental commercial uses on the same premises (not exceeding 150 kWh per month, as determined by the Department) may be permitted under this rate at the Department's discretion depending upon the metering requirements and the nature of the commercial load characteristics. In the case of multiple dwellings, the Department may under unusual circumstance and solely at the discretion of the Department, permit service under this rate through a master meter; however, the monthly customer charge shall be applied for each residential service meter, and the minimum monthly charge shall be equal to the customer charge multiplied by the number of separate living quarters so served.
COST OF SERVICE:
| Monthly Service charge: | $8.95 per meter (with no kWh) |
| Energy Charge: | $0.1183 per kWh |
| Monthly Minimum Charge: | The Monthly Service Charge |
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DISCOUNT: A 5% discount will be applied to the Residential Service Energy Charge, provided all outstanding bills are paid before the 20th of each month at the discretion of the Department. An outstanding bill equal to the monthly discount that would have applied on the single prior month's bill may be disregarded when determining applicability for the discount. No discount will be allowed on the Customer Charge, the Purchase Power Cost Adjustment, or any other charge that may be applied from time to time.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The Department's Terms and Conditions in effect from time to time, where not inconsistent with the specific provisions hereof, are a part of this rate.
POWER COST ADJUSTMENT: A Purchase Power Cost Adjustment (PPCA), either a charge or a credit, shall be applied to all kilowatt-hours sold under this rate as provided in the PPAC.
EXCULPATORY CLAUSE: The exculpatory clause shall apply to all rates and services provided by the Department.
Princeton Municipal Light Department
FARM RATE (FR)
AVAILABILITY: Service under this rate is available, at the discretion of the Department, for the purpose of commercial farming by resident Farmers who farm as a significant source of their livelihood.
COST OF SERVICE:
| Monthly Service charge: | $8.95 per meter (with no kWh) |
| Energy Charge: | $0.1064 per kWh |
| Monthly Minimum Charge: | The Monthly Service Charge |
DISCOUNT: A 5% discount will be applied to the Farm Service Energy Charge, provided all outstanding bills are paid before the 20th of each month at the discretion of the Department. An outstanding bill equal to the monthly discount that would have applied on the single prior month's bill may be disregarded when determining applicability for the discount. No discount will be allowed on the Customer Charge, the Purchase Power Cost Adjustment, or any other charge that may be applied from time to time.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The Department's Terms and Conditions in effect from time to time, where not inconsistent with the specific provisions hereof, are a part of this rate.
POWER COST ADJUSTMENT: A Purchase Power Cost Adjustment (PPCA), either a charge or a credit, shall be applied to all kilowatt-hours sold under this rate as provided in the PPAC.
EXCULPATORY CLAUSE: The exculpatory clause shall apply to all rates and services provided by the Department.
Princeton Municipal Light Department
COMMERCIAL SERVICE RATE (CS)
MUNICIPAL RATE (MR)
AVAILABILITY: Service under this rate is available for non-residential service and shall include individual commercial, small industrial and municipal establishments requiring a single-phase, secondary connection. This rate is not available to customers where the Department has determined that the maximum monthly use of that customer exceeds 2750 kilowatt-hours at any time during the preceding 12 months.
COST OF SERVICE:
| Monthly Service charge: | $8.95 per meter (with no kWh) |
| Energy Charge: | $0.1293 per kWh |
| Monthly Minimum Charge: | The Monthly Service Charge |
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The Department's Terms and Conditions in effect from time to time, where not inconsistent with the specific provisions hereof, are a part of this rate.
POWER COST ADJUSTMENT: A Purchase Power Cost Adjustment (PPCA), either a charge or a credit, shall be applied to all kilowatt-hours sold under this rate as provided in the PPAC.
EXCULPATORY CLAUSE: The exculpatory clause shall apply to all rates and services provided by the Department.
Princeton Municipal Light Department
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE OUTDOOR LIGHTING (OL)
AVAILABILITY: Service under this rate is available to any customer for outdoor lighting service for public and private property, providing that no light is more than 150 feet from the Department's existing overhead distribution system.
COST OF SERVICE:
Wattage/Type | Annual Rate |
| 18W Compact Fluorescent | $34.59 |
| 70W High Pressure Sodium | $85.94 |
| 100W High Pressure Sodium (a) | $127.10 |
| 150W High Pressure Sodium | $179.85 |
| 175W Mercury Vapor (a) | $197.31 |
| 250W High Pressure Sodium | $243.31 |
| Blinking Traffic Lights | $276.68 |
| 400W High Pressure Sodium | $493.88 |
When required, customers will be charged time and material for the installation of new poles.
(a) Not available for new services.
EQUIPMENT: In all cases the Department will furnish, own, and maintain all poles, wire, lamps, luminaries, brackets, and photoelectric controls. In cases where poles are located on private property, customers will, at the Department's request, provide traffic protection.
HOURS OF OPERATION: All lights shall be operated from approximately one-half hour after sunset to one half-hour before sun-rise, a total of approximately 4,000 hours each year. Burned out lamps will be replaced upon notification by the customer to the Department. No reduction in billing will be allowed for lamp outage.
BILLING: Private outdoor lights shall be billed semi-annually on the first day of January and July each year. Public Streetlights shall be billed monthly beginning the first day of July each year.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The Department's Terms and Conditions in effect from time to time, where not inconsistent with the specific provisions hereof, are a part of this rate.
EXCULPATORY CLAUSE: The exculpatory clause shall apply to all rates and services provided by the Department.
Princeton Municipal Light Department
PURCHASE POWER COST ADJUSTMENT (PPCA)
APPLICABLE: The Purchase Power Cost Adjustment (PPCA) is applicable to all rates identified with Power Cost Adjustment clause.
PPCA CHARGE: There shall be added or credited to each monthly bill an amount equal to the total kWh billing during the month multiplied by the PPCA factor determined each month as follows:
(A) Total Purchased Power Cost including NEPOOL Interchange charged to Account 555(a) for the month divided by:
(B) Estimated kWh's to be sold during the month will be compared to:
(C) Base period cost of purchased power per kWh sold, amounting to $0.05895 per kWh sold.
The difference between the base cost and the monthly cost per kWh estimated to be sold will be applied in the monthly billing period. The purchased power cost adjustment (PPCA) will be calculated as follows:
PPCA = ((A)/(B)) minus (C)
(a) An adjustment to Account 555 charges shall be made each month to reflect the difference between estimated kWh's sold each month and actual kWh's sold each month in order to recover or credit any under-collection or over-collection of purchase power charges.
Princeton Municipal Light Department
EXCULPATORY CLAUSE
APPLICABILITY: The Exculpatory Clause is applicable to all rates identified.
EXCULPATORY CLAUSE: The Town of Princeton, Municipal Lighting Plant, shall not be liable for, or in any way in respect of, any interruption, abnormal voltage, discontinuance or reversal of its service, due to causes beyond its immediate control, whether accident, labor difficulties, conditions of fuel supply, the attitude of any public authority, reduction in voltage, rotating of the use of feeders, selected black-outs, or failure to receive any electricity for which in any manner it has contracted, or due to the operation in accordance with good utility practice of an emergency load reduction program by the Municipal Lighting Plant or one with whom it has contracted for the supply of electricity or inability for any reason to maintain uninterrupted and continuous service; provided, however, that if the Municipal Lighting Plant is unable for any of the causes enumerated above to supply electricity for a continuous period of two (2) days or more, that upon request of the customer, the demand charge, if any, shall be suspended for the duration of such inability.
Princeton Municipal Light Department
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. General:
This Terms and Conditions Statement (“Agreement”) has been established to convey the conditions that you (“Customer”) agree to when requesting service from Princeton Municipal Light Department (“PMLD”). The benefits and obligations of this Agreement will commence on the day that you, as the Customer, are connected to PMLD’s service and will inure to and be binding upon the successors and assigns, survivors and executors or administrators of the original parties. PMLD reserves the right to revise, amend, supercede, supplement or change these Terms and Conditions from time to time in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and policy. The Terms and Conditions shall remain consistent with the Department of Telecommunications & Energy (“DTE”) standards.
The supply of electric service is contingent upon PMLD’s ability to secure and retain the necessary location for its poles, wires, conduit, cable and other apparatus. The character of service to be made available at each location will be determined by PMLD. In general, the standard voltage supplied will be 120/240 volts, single phase. Contact PMLD for information on availability of other voltages and service characteristics.
Such wiring and other electrical equipment and apparatus as may be necessary in order to utilize the service shall be provided, installed, maintained, and used by the Customer in accordance with the requirements, if any, of the National Electrical Safety Code, and of all public authorities having jurisdiction of the same, and the requirements of PMLD. In general, PMLD will not provide any service until the Customer's wiring has been inspected and approved.
In general, all customers shall be served from one service location and one meter. Apartment buildings shall be served through one service, one building service meter, and an individual meter for each occupancy. In the case of more than one building in an apartment complex, each building service meter shall be considered an individual and separate account and will be billed separately.
2. Application:
Service shall not be supplied unless and until the Customer completes an "Application for Service". The Application must be accurate, true, complete, and signed by the Customer of Record. All Customers’ electrical needs present and future, if known, should be stated at the time of the application. A customer shall be and remain the customer of record and shall be liable for service taken until such time as the customer of record requests termination of service and a final meter reading is recorded.
3. Requirements of Providing Service:
The Customer shall wire to the point designated by PMLD, typically the customer owned meter socket, at which point PMLD will connect its service. PMLD shall construct and install overhead or underground electric service extension, distribution facilities, or other equipment determined to be appropriate for a customer under the following conditions:
4. Deposit:
A deposit may be required on any commercial or residential account. Deposits shall be determined by Customer's credit standing as is reported by a national credit bureau. Deposits may be waived if the Customer provides PMLD with proof that the Customer is the owner of the property for which service is requested. PMLD reserves the right to request a deposit at any time, and from time to time, on any account that does not remain in good standing.
Interest is payable annually on all deposits which are retained longer than six (6) months at a rate that is at or above such rate specified by applicable laws and regulations. Such rate may be credited to a Customer’s account.
All deposits shall be due and paid before service will be provided.
5. Metering:
For the purpose of determining the amount of electricity used, a meter or meters will be installed and maintained by PMLD on the Customer's premises. All meters shall remain the sole and exclusive property of PMLD. Customer agrees that the wiring upon the premises of the Customer to which service will be connected shall be in installed and maintained by Customer in accordance with the requirements of the National Electrical Code and all requirements of the Town of Princeton.
PMLD or its authorized agent shall have access to the Customer's premises at all reasonable times to install, read, inspect, test, operate, maintain, repair, or remove its equipment, to discontinue service, to determine the rate or rates for the Customer's electric service, or for any other purpose reasonably related to the provision of electric service.
The Customer shall not injure, interfere with, destroy or tamper with any meter or other property of PMLD. The Customer shall be responsible for the care and protection of any of PMLD's property located or installed on the Customer's premises and shall not permit anyone but PMLD or its authorized representatives to have access to such property. PMLD's property, machinery or equipment shall not be handled or operated by anyone other than PMLD or its authorized representatives without the express written consent of PMLD. PMLD will lock or seal all enclosures containing meters or metering equipment, and no person, except an employee or duly authorized agent of PMLD shall be permitted to, in any way, change or modify PMLD's meters or other equipment, and no seals or locks shall be permitted to be removed without the written authorization of PMLD. Customer shall indemnify and hold PMLD harmless, should any violations of these provisions result in injury, death or damage to persons or property.
PMLD will test a meter, at the Customer's request, once in a twelve-month period at no cost. The cost for each additional meter test requested by a Customer within such twelve-month period will be $15.00. If the meter test is found to be accurate, the fee paid by the customer will not be refunded. A meter shall be deemed inaccurate if it registers more than two percent above or below the standard measure approved by the DTE.
The Customer shall so maintain and operate its electric equipment, meter socket, and apparatus as not to endanger or interfere with the service of electricity. Electric meters are the property of PMLD. No one but authorized Department personnel shall cut and open the padlock seal on a meter, remove and install a meter, install jumper pieces or other bypassing devices, remove or install sleeves, change the meter registration, or tamper in any way with the electric meter. Meters damaged accidentally or otherwise will be replaced at the expense of the property owner where the meter is located.
When a meter is found to be tampered with, service to that meter will be disconnected. To have service restored, the Customer must first pay a reconnection fee, payable in cash to the Department. In addition, charges for electricity used, but not metered as a result of the tampering, will be calculated by PMLD. All costs attributable to investigating the tampering, calculation of amounts owed, and any other administrative costs related to the tampered meter will be charged to the Customer.
When a meter is found to be defective, PMLD will replace the meter at no cost to the Customer. PMLD may charge the Customer for electricity used, but not metered as a result of a defective meter. All costs attributable to the investigation of a defective meter, calculation of amounts owed, and any other administrative costs related to the defective meter will be charged to the Customer.
When Customer owned equipment related to metering, such as meter-socket, currant transformers, disconnect switch, etc, is found to be defective, PMLD will request the Customer to replace the electrical equipment at the Customers cost. PMLD will charge the Customer for electricity used, but not metered as a result of defective Customer owned electric equipment, related to the metering of electricity consumption. All costs attributable to investigation of the defective meter, calculation of amounts owed, and any other administrative costs related to the defective electrical equipment will be charged to the Customer.
All instances of meter tampering will be reported to the Police Department for investigation and prosecution. To restore service after it has been disconnected, application must be made in person at the Department's offices. In addition to the fee for tampering, a deposit will be required, equal to three months' average consumption on the premises in question. Service will be reconnected within 24 hours after payment of the aforementioned fees and deposit, if the matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of the Department.
Subject to the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws (“M.G.L.”), Chapter 164 and applicable DTE regulations, whenever PMLD determines that an unauthorized and unmetered use of electricity is being made on the premises of a Customer, PMLD may, at the Customer's expense, make such changes in the location of its meters, appliances and equipment on said premises as will, in the opinion of PMLD, prevent such unauthorized and unmetered use from being made.
6. Meter Reading / Bills:
A bill based an actual or estimated reading of PMLD's metering equipment shall be rendered monthly, payable upon receipt. When a Customer is serviced through more than one meter, each meter will be considered separately.
If PMLD cannot obtain a meter reading, it shall render an estimated bill, provided PMLD has not rendered an estimated bill for the billing period prior to that for which the estimate is made, except in the case where circumstances reasonably beyond the control of PMLD prevent it from obtaining an actual meter reading. Subject to the provisions of M.G.L., Chapter 164 and applicable DTE regulations, if any Customer, directly or indirectly, prevents or hinders any such employee or agent of PMLD from entering such premises for the purposes of making such examination, PMLD may pursuant to M.G.L. c. 164, § 116 make a complaint to any court or magistrate authorized to issue criminal process.
7. Classification:
PMLD determines a Customer’s appropriate rate based on information provided by Customer at the time of application for service. The rates are updated to provide each Customer the most advantageous rate available. It is the Customer’s responsibility to assure itself that it is on a rate most advantageous to itself. Customer should promptly notify PMLD of any change in circumstances, which may qualify Customer for a more advantageous rate.
8. Discontinuance of Service / Nonpayment:
A. Unsafe wiring, fraud, or theft: PMLD may discontinue service without notice if a Customer's wiring is found to be in a dangerous or unsafe condition or as is necessary to protect PMLD from fraud or theft. Service shall not be resumed until the Town of Princeton’s Wiring Inspector certifies to PMLD that any dangerous or unsafe condition has been corrected and all wiring is in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
B. Unsatisfactory Equipment: PMLD may discontinue service and remove its equipment if, in its judgment, the equipment has become unsatisfactory for further service due to deterioration, civil commotion, vandalism, state of war, explosion, fire, storm, flood, lightning, or any other cause reasonably beyond PMLD's control. Customer may be required to pay the applicable charges for the remainder, in any, of the applicable term of service.
C. Access to Premises: Subject to the provisions of M.G.L., Chapter 164 and applicable DTE regulations, if any Customer, directly or indirectly, prevents or hinders any employee or agent of PMLD from entering a premises for the purposes of making an examination, removing meters for the purpose of work relating to supply or regulation of supply, or for the purpose of ascertaining the quantity of electricity consumed or supplied, such Customer shall be subject to termination of service.
D. Non-Payment of Charges: If a Customer defaults on payments due to PMLD, service may be discontinued in accordance with DTE Regulations 220 CMR 25.00-25.05, to the extent that such regulation is applicable. PMLD shall not restore service until the Customer has:
1. Made an Application for Service and paid all bills due for service previously furnished; and
2. Made a satisfactory deposit to insure payment of future bills; and
3. Paid the costs of reconnection of the premises for which service has been discontinued.
PMLD has the right to terminate service if a bill is not paid within (45) days of receipt. Notice must be rendered to the customer at least seventy-two (72) hours but no more than fourteen (14) days prior to said termination. Termination may be effected between the hours of eight (8:00) AM and four (4:00) PM, Monday through Thursday. The customer will be informed of their rights and responsibilities, in writing, with the notice of termination.
PMLD shall not be responsible or liable for loss or damage to any person or property resulting from disconnection of service regardless of whether service is disconnected at the Customer's request or by PMLD and regardless of whether the Customer owns the premises to which service has been supplied.
In the event of an actual or threatened shortage of energy supplies or resources, PMLD may, in its sole discretion, curtail, allocate, or interrupt electric service to any Customer or Customers, if PMLD determines, in its sole discretion, that any part of the generation, transmission or distribution systems PMLD utilizes may be threatened by a condition that may affect its ability to continue to supply electric service of sufficient quality, quantity and reliability.
Although PMLD will make every effort to make necessary repairs and changes to its system without having to suspend the delivery of service, PMLD reserves the right to suspend service in order to make repairs or changes.
9. Collection:
The Customer is responsible for any collection costs, including court costs and attorneys' fees associated with any unpaid balances, meter tampering, theft of services, fraud or otherwise.
10. Limitations of Liability:
The Town of Princeton, PMLD, and all of their respective agents and employees shall be afforded the maximum exemption of limitations of liability available under applicable laws and regulations arising on account of their actions or omissions relating directly or indirectly any provision of electrical service. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in M.G.L. Chapter 258:
Neither the Town of Princeton, nor PMLD nor any of their respective agents or employees shall be liable to any person:
A. For any failure by PMLD to supply electric service or for any interruption in the supply of or delay in the restoration of such service.
B. For any damage to any person (including personal injury or death) or any damage to any property, directly or indirectly, arising as a result of the electric service provided by PMLD, the presence of PMLD's apparatus or equipment on any Customer's premises, or any acts or omissions of PMLD.
C. For discontinuance of electrical service to any Customer who fails to comply with, or perform any of the Customer's obligations under these Terms and Conditions, applicable laws and regulations, or other agreements with PMLD.
D. The discontinuance of electrical service if any equipment or apparatus of any Customer interferes with service provided by PMLD or with the delivery of service to other Customers or interferes with the integrity of PMLD's system.
E. For any variation, or interruption in electrical service including without limitation, any such variation or interruption because of abnormal or reduced voltage, emergency load reduction programs, blackouts, or any causes beyond the reasonable control of PMLD, including, but not limited to, accidents, war, civil commotion, acts of God, labor difficulties, acts of Customers, or acts of any public authority.
11. Inspection:
Approval by the Town of Princeton Wiring Inspector for electric service is required before service can be initiated to any new, or newly wired or rewired building, structure or residence.