The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) oversees Minnesota Power's relationship with our customers. The commission's rules and policies, under which we operate, are summarized in the following pages. A complete set of Commission rules is available at Minnesota Power.We are dedicated to excellent service and fair treatment for all our customers. If you ever feel that we haven't properly handled a question or a concern of yours, call or write Minnesota Power. The MPUC regulates Minnesota Power and is available for mediation upon written request.

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
121 7th Place East
Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 296-0406
1-800-657-3782
www.puc.state.mn.us

Disconnection Policy

Information on your bill includes when payment is due. After that date, the bill is considered past due, andservice may be discontinued upon five days' written notice.We hope our relationship with you never reaches this point, but if it does, here are the rules and procedures that govern service disconnections:

Non-Cold Weather Disconnections

Before your electric service is disconnected, we send you a written notice by first-class mail, explaining the reason. If nonpayment of a bill is the reason for the disconnection, the Company representative can accept cash payment of the past due account and not disconnect your electricity.With written notice, electric service may be disconnected if:

• You fail to pay your bill for utility service, but only when the amount of the outstanding bill equals or exceeds the amount of any deposit;
• You fail to meet Minnesota Power's deposit and credit requirements;
• You fail to make proper application for service;
• You violate any of Minnesota Power's regulations on file with the Commission;
• You fail to provide Minnesota Power reasonable access to its equipment and property;
• You breach the contract for service;
• You fail to provide such service, equipment, and/or rights-of-way necessary for service as specified by Minnesota Power as a condition of obtaining service;
• It is necessary for Minnesota Power to comply with any order or request of any governmental authority having jurisdiction. Such written notice may not be given, however, if your electric usage is unauthorized or posing a serious hazard. Electricity may be disconnected immediately and without notice if there is illegal activity, such as meter tampering or diverting current, or if a condition exists which would be hazardous to you, other customers, utility equipment or the public.

Minnesota Power will not knowingly disconnect your service while you are properly pursuing a complaint with us or through the MPUC. If we have tried and have been unsuccessful in resolving a dispute through established procedures, our last recourse would be to disconnect.

Cold Weather Disconnections
If you are unable to pay your bill

Special procedures in cold weather months in Minnesota govern disconnection of residential electric service that affects primary heating sources. These rules, issued by the MPUC, are in effect from October 15 through April 15 and are intended to minimize customer hardship during the heating season. The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule stipulates that electric service needed for heating may not be disconnected for nonpayment during the cold weather period if the disconnection would affect your primary heating source, and you qualify for inability to pay, or you enter into a payment plan.If you receive a disconnection notice during the cold weather months, you also will receive a packet of materials that more fully describe the Cold Weather Rule procedures.

Reconnection

If your service has been disconnected for nonpayment or any other reason, you will have to pay all past due bills and a reconnection charge to have your service restored. The reconnection charge is $20 during normal business hours - 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays - and $100 at other times and on weekends and holidays.Before agreeing to reconnect your service, we may also require a deposit equal to an estimated two months' gross bill or existing two months' bill where applicable.

Easy and Convenient Payment
Payment Options

You can pay your electric service by mail using the envelope provided with your bill or at a Payment Center Box in your area. Please call Minnesota Power for a list of payment locations. For your convenience, you can pay your electric bill with your credit card. A program called Speedpay Automated Payment System allows customers to pay their bill with a Visa, MasterCard or Discover card.Simply call toll-free - 1-866-228-0739 - and an automated recording system will direct you through the payment process. You'll need to have handy your Minnesota Power account number, credit card and its expiration date. A Speedpay convenience fee will be charged to your credit card.