Why a Disconnect Notice?

Today's question: Why do I get a disconnection notice if I miss one bill? It seems a bit severe, given my habit of paying my bills, and quite unnecessary.

Thanks for your question. You did not mention if you are one of our customers or a Yukon Electrical Company Ltd. customer. While both utilities have similar practices in this regard, I can only speak about Yukon Energy's policies.

Each customer's meter is read on approximately the same day every month. Once a meter has been read it takes about six days for a bill to be produced, and approximately another six days for the bill to reach the customer. That means, for example, if the meter is read on June 5th, the customer will get the bill on or around June 17th. This bill is for power used the previous month (in this example, May).

If the amount due isn't paid by the next time the meter is read (July 5th), it will be noted on the customer's bill received on or around July 17th that they are in arrears for the May billing. If, when the meter reader visits the property on August 5th the customer still hasn't paid his or her arrears, they will be sent either a reminder notice (if they are a regular paying customer who has not before now missed a payment) or a disconnect notice (if they are a customer who has missed several payments and has an amount of more than $20.00 outstanding). 

Once the disconnect notice is sent, the customer has ten days from the date on the notice to pay the bill, or the electricity will be disconnected until payment is made.