Despite record of on-time payment, utility cut off power during absence

Editor:

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Jefferson Energy customers beware: Your power could be shut off precipitously!

This happened to us while we were out of state on a family emergency. When we returned, our power bill was 19 days overdue. We came back to a dark and cold house. Jefferson Energy had shut off our power. We have a three-decade record of paying our power bill on time; nonetheless, our power was disconnected.

We were charged a $75 re-connect fee and we were required to pay a $275 deposit to have our power restored. These charges were on top of the late fee.

Fortunately, we happened to return on the day of the power shutoff. Otherwise our pipes might have frozen and caused serious damage to our house. Our inside pets (in aquaria) and plants would have died. The food in two refrigerators and a freezer could have been lost. Luckily, our outside cat feeder is battery powered (and checked by neighbors).

Apparently, no regulatory agencies have power over the electric cooperatives, and we have no choice in our power providers. Just imagine what could happen to some if the power is suddenly turned off. What if any elderly person had been on oxygen in the house? What if such person had only a cordless electric phone? Scary thoughts.

These actions are from a company that prides itself on training and gives life-saving awards to its employees. We suggest that the cooperative reconsider its shutoff policies; they are dangerous, to say the least.

M.J. Godt

Appling