Billing Terms and Conditions
You will receive a bill once a month. We offer many convenient ways to pay your bill, as noted above.
Payments are due within 15 days of the billing date. Any previous balance carried forward to the next billing cycle will be assessed a 1% late fee. If you receive a bill and are unable to pay all of it on time, please call us at (503) 397-0590. We will be happy to make arrangements for payment.
If your bill is not paid or you do not meet the payment arrangement, your power may be disconnected. We will make every effort to contact you prior to disconnection.
If these reminders fail, we will send a service person out to disconnect your meter, which will result in an additional $15 fee.
Bill disputes
If you dispute the correctness of a bill, you should call or visit our office. If the dispute is not resolved, supervisors will review the bill with you. If the dispute remains, you have a right to appeal to the Board of Directors.
Third party notification
If you'd like to have a third party notified in case you forget to pay your bill, call us at (503) 397-0590. Or, if you are concerned about a friend's or relative's service, ask them to designate you as a "third party". You will not be obligated to pay the bill, but you will receive a copy of all notices sent to the customer so you can remind them to make payment.
Returned check charge
If your check for payment is returned for insufficient funds or a closed account, you will be charged a returned check charge of $25.
Disconnection
Service may be disconnected for appropriate reasons, including:
- Nonpayment of a required deposit.
- Failure to comply with terms of a special payment arrangement.
- Failure to pay or make arrangement to pay a past-due balance.
- Violation of the utility's service policies.
If service has been disconnected, it is illegal for customers to reconnect it. Offenders will be prosecuted and assessed an unauthorized reconnection fee. Service that has been disconnected for nonpayment or violation of service policies will not be restored until the situation has been resolved to our satisfaction. Reconnection during normal business hour costs $50, after hours the cost increases to $200. A deposit may also be required to restore service.
Medical Certificate
If you or a member of your family has a serious health problem and your electric service is threatened, you may obtain a medical certificate from your doctor or other health care professional. Upon presentation of this certificate, you may enter into a Time Payment Plan to pay the overdue amount of your bill over a period of time.
Time Payment Plan
If you are unable to pay your electric bill and are scheduled to be disconnected for non-payment, you may qualify for a Time Payment Plan agreement to pay the overdue amount over a specified period of time. The monthly amount and terms of the contract will be negotiated between you and the PUD. For more information, please call (503) 397-0590, or send your request to the attention of:
Customer Accounts
Columbia River PUD
PO Box 1193
St. Helens, OR 97051
(503) 397-0590 phone
(503) 397-5215 fax
