Charges and Billing
CUSTOMER CHARGES
Maryland Environmental Surcharge
In accordance with Maryland state law, an environmental surcharge is imposed on all electricity generated in Maryland. The Public Service Commission determines the applicable surcharge for each fiscal year. The Environmental Surcharge is billed at a set rate per kilowatt-hour and is stated separately on your bill.
Energy/Purchased Gas Charges
The cost of fuel used in generating electricity, the cost of purchased energy and the cost of gas delivered by a pipeline changes constantly. The amount you pay is the cost to us, without any markup or profit, and is adjusted monthly. Revenue, less related costs associated with power sold in the marketplace by Easton Utilities’ generators, will be used to reduce the cost to electric customers. Every effort is made to purchase energy from suppliers at the lowest cost, and to operate our plants efficiently. For electricity, the Energy Charge is shown per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and the total charges are shown separately on your bill. The Purchased Gas Charge (PGC) is shown per CCF (one CCF equals 100 cubic feet) and appears on bills for gas customers. These charges reflect gas purchase costs, without markup, and are adjusted monthly. Calculations on which the Energy Charge and PGC rates are based are filed monthly with the Public Service Commission for review and approval.
Electric and Gas Rate Schedules
Electric customers are billed under one of the following rate schedules:
Residential Service: Available for all classes of domestic service within the Easton Utilities territory for electric service. Applicable to one-family residences or one-family apartments.
General Service - Small: This rate is available to any customer having an average monthly maximum measured demand of 250 kW or less for the receding calendar year.
General Service - Large: This rate is available to any customer having an average maximum measured demand of greater than 250 kW in the preceding calendar year.
General Service Primary: This rate is available for three phase service at standard Company voltage at or below 25,000 volts. The standard voltage available depends upon the location, character and size of Customer's load.
Street & Highway Lighting Service: Available only for the lighting of public streets, public alleys, public highways and other public outdoor areas within the service territory where service is supplied from the existing distribution system and where the Company owns and maintains all equipment. Service will be provided from dusk to dawn each night.
Biomass, Solar and Wind Electric Generation Service: Available to any eligible customer-generator, that owns and operates a biomass, solar electric generating facility or wind electric generating facility that meets the criteria outlined in the Electric Service Tariff.
Gas customers are billed under one of the following three rate schedules:
Residential Service - available for firm gas service to customers with a separate meter in a single family dwelling or individual apartment.
Commercial Service - available for firm gas service for customers for non-domestic purposes with average monthly usage less than 2,000 CCF.
Large Commercial and Industrial Service - available for firm gas service for large commercial or industrial customers with average monthly usage greater than 2,000 CCF.
BILLING
Billing Procedures
All electric and gas meters are read monthly. Customers are billed approximately one week after their meter is read.
Important Notice for Property Owners
If you own and occupy real property supplied with service by Easton Utilities, you should be aware, as stated in the Charter and Code of Easton, Maryland, all amounts billed for such service (except cable television & internet) constitute a lien upon your property.
Verification of Billing Accuracy
Current rate schedules can be found in our service tariffs, which are available on our website. If you have a question about your bill, we will investigate at your request and advise you of our findings.
Returned Payment Charge
Any payments given to Easton Utilities that are returned unpaid by a customer’s bank will result in an additional charge of $25 per occurrence.
Alternate Payment Plan
Customers may request an Alternate Payment Plan (APP) as an optional means for payment of service delinquent charges and to avoid service termination resulting from those delinquent charges. APP agreements shall be made through an authorized Easton Utilities representative. Failure of the Customer to meet the conditions of an APP, including prompt payment of the current bill, shall constitute a breach of agreement and entitles Easton Utilities to pursue collection and termination procedures pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations of the Public Service Commission of Maryland.
Late Payment Charge
Easton Utilities’ bills are payable on or before the due date shown on your bill. Late payment charges of 1.5% of the unpaid
balance will be applied to bills the following month. The cumulative total late payment charges added to the original unpaid amount will not exceed 5%.