Small retail shop in Mobile. Alabama Power charged $485 connection fee when account was transferred to new owner. Tariff says connection fee is for "new service" but this was existing service with meter already installed.
Alabama Power small retail - connection charge dispute
Alabama Power has specific rules about account transfers vs new connections. If service was disconnected for more than 30 days, they treat it as new service even with existing meter.
Same thing happened to client in Mississippi with Entergy. Disputed the charge and got it reduced to account transfer fee instead of new connection fee.
Service was only disconnected for 12 days during ownership transfer. Filed complaint with Alabama PSC citing tariff language about "new service."
Alabama PSC is usually pretty good about tariff interpretation issues. Document everything about the service disconnection timing.
PSC ruled in our favor. Alabama Power refunded $385 - difference between new connection fee and account transfer fee. Took 3 months but worth it.
Connection fees and account transfer charges are common disputed items. Always review tariff definitions and challenge inappropriate fees through proper channels.