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Frequently Asked Questions

Mailing Address Number

I'm trying to make a payment on the online payment or phone-based payment system and it's asking for my "mailing address number." What's that?
Your mailing address number is the numeric portion of the address your bill gets mailed to. Fractions (like 1/2) are not included.

Most often, this is your house number. However, if your bill is mailed to a Post Office Box, it will be your Post Office Box number.

Here are some examples:
- If your bill is mailed to 123 Main Street, your mailing address number is 123
- If your bill is mailed to 35B Center Street, your mailing address number is 35 (Numeric portion only!)
- If your bill is mailed to 13 1/2 Walker Street, your mailing address number is 13 (Fractions are not included)
- If your bill is mailed to Post Office Box 678, your mailing address number is 678

Payments

Where can I pay my TMLP bill?
You can pay 'in-person' at the following locations:
- TMLP Customer Care Center – 33 Weir Street, Taunton - in the night deposit slot to the left of the front door (Mon –Fri 7:30am to 4:30pm). Driving directions are available online.
- TMLP Administrative Main office – 55 Weir Street, Taunton in the night deposit slot to the left of the front door (Mon –Fri 7:30am to 4:30pm)
- Trucchi's Supermarket Locations - 543 County Street / 53 Tremont Street, Taunton (normal business hours)
For remote payment convenience, customers can look up account information, review recent invoices, and make individual payments by check or credit card online at https://ipn2.paymentus.com/cp/tmlp

For those who would prefer to use the automated phone service, you can also pay through our Automated Attendant 24 hours a day 7 days a week by dialing our customer service number (508) 824-6976 and selecting option 2 from the menu.

Paperless Billing

How do I switch to paperless billing?

Online bill presentment is a great way to minimize paper clutter and keep your records electronically. There is security in knowing that you can always retrieve your records at any time on our website.

To sign up, you must go to the bill pay site https://ipn2.paymentus.com/cp/tmlp On the main "Accounts" page you will see a list of the TMLP accounts you have associated with your payment site login. There is a section button associated with each TMLP account number which says "Paperless?" and has a slider beneath it that shows either "Yes" or "No." Click on this slider to turn paperless billing on or off.

Billing

How do I read my meter?

Most electric meters have four or five dials. The pointers on each dial move in alternate directions. On a four-dial meter, the first and third dials move counterclockwise; the second and fourth dials move clockwise. In every case, the reading for the dial is the last number which the pointer passed.

The reading for the meter illustrated below is 6125 kilowatt-hours. If a month later your meter reads 6937, your electric consumption for the month would be the difference between 6125 and 6937, or 812 kilowatt-hours. ( A kilowatt-hour is equal to using 1000 watts of power for one hour.)

Some electric meters have digital displays. The kilowatt-hours are usually registered on the first display register. The register will read 1 or kWh and 5 numbers should follow. These 5 numbers are the reading.

How often is my meter read?

At TMLP, our goal is to read your meter every month. Your electric meter is read on approximately the same business day each month. If you meter is usually read on the 15th business day of the month, that is when it will usually be scheduled.

The only time TMLP will estimate your monthly bill is if we have access issues or weather related problems.

When is my bill due?

Your bill is due 25 days after the posting date. If you are inquiring about the discount, the discounted amount is due 10 days after the posting date.

Starting Service

How do I get electricity on an existing meter (on a premise that has a meter on it)?

In order to get electricity, you must have an account with TMLP. If you have had service in the past, you can call and start service on the following business day.

If you have not had an account with us, you must fill out an application and return it with a government issued photo id.

New accounts and older accounts not in good standing will require a deposit. Please contact our customer service dept at (508)824-6976 during regular business hours.

How do I get a new meter installed (on a premise that has NO meter or needs a new one)?

With all new customers applying for a new meter on a new home, garage, temporary meter, owner's meter, apartment meter, a customer must meet all service requirements for electric service. Such requirements include approval from each of the following: TMLP Customer Service, TMLP Engineering/ Line Department, and Wire Inspector.

First, a customer must submit a completed service application as well as remit a deposit (if required) in full prior to TMLP Customer Service approval. Additionally, for all new building structures, the TMLP requires a copy of the Building Permit. The only exception for the Building Permit submittal is for installation of Owners Meters and Service Upgrades.

Secondly, any particular service requirements stipulated by the TMLP must be completed prior to approval from the TMLP Engineering / Line Department.

Thirdly, it is the responsibility of the premise owner to notify the town's wire inspector once electrical work is completed. TMLP must be notified by the town's wire inspector prior to installing the meter at the premise. Once all requirements for electric service are met and approved, the typical meter installation period is two to five business days depending upon the existing service backlog.

What is the deposit procedure for residential customers?
As of November 1, 2008, a 'Security Deposit' shall be required for all new residential customer accounts as well as existing customer accounts with arrears and a desire to move from one location to another within the TMLP system territory. Such security deposits shall be paid in full prior to service being activate. The Security Deposit is $250.00 for "Non-Electric Heat" accounts and $400.00 for "Electric Heat" accounts.

A summary of the residential security deposit is as follows:
- Deposits will be collected in the form of cash, check or credit card payments. Cash & Credit Card payments are processed for the next business day service, subject to schedule availability. Electric service will be withheld for seven (7) business days for all Check deposit payments. A returned check fee will be charge to the customer.
- Collection of security deposit value can be withdrawn if:
  - Recorded owner of properly is identical to the residential service account holder. Proof of ownership will be the responsibility of the customer requesting service.
    - This can be obtained from the Registry of Deeds or At closing, you can request a copy of Quit Claim Deed.
  - Existing customer with excellent payment history (no arrears).
- Security Deposit will remain on the account for a period of time so long as the account is active. The security deposit will be returned with interest after account is closed and all arrears to TMLP are paid in full.
- All customer accounts with a security deposit are reviewed after two years. If good payment history has been determined, customers with excellent payment history will be refunded their deposit with interest as determined by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

Solar Rebates

How do I apply for a Solar Rebate?
To apply for a solar rebate, you must fill out a solar rebate application, a net metering application and an interconnection agreement. A downloadable version of the solar rebate application can be found on our Clean Energy page. Once these are received at TMLP, they are reviewed and ultimately approved by TMLP management. You will be notified by mail.

How much is the Solar Rebate?
The solar rebate is currently $ 1.50 per watt of the nameplate KW rating of the proposed system, up to 3.0 KW for a maximum rebate of $ 4500.

Can I only apply for a system that is 3.0KW or less to get a rebate?
No, you can apply for and install any size system. However TMLP will only issue a rebate up to 3 KW. TMLP will analyze larger proposed residential solar installations under the initial project review to insure compatibility with TMLP system.

Can I install additional solar systems on my property and receive a rebate?
Only one rebate per customer is allowed under the solar rebate program. If you choose to add to an existing system, it must be reviewed and approved by TMLP.

Can I lease a system from a third party and install it on my property?
No, a residential customer applying for a rebate and net metering must own the property and the solar system and have an active account at the location with TMLP with no arrears. Any power generated from a third party would have to be purchased by TMLP and would constitute a purchased power agreement. The same applies for a commercial customer.

Some solar companies state that they don’t do business in TMLP territory. Why is that?
Again, most of these companies that "don’t do business" with TMLP want to lease you the system to lower your bill, and they take the net metering revenue and SREC money. That translates into them being a generator to TMLP and that is prohibited by law unless defined by a specific purchased power agreement with TMLP.

Can I use the energy from my solar system on another account? Another property?
No, energy generated from a solar system must be applied to the meter of the account holder of record. Applying the energy usage to another account or property is not permitted as that is considered retail wheeling and not allowed in TMLP service territory.

How does it work if I generate more energy then I take in from TMLP?
If the electricity generated by the Customer exceeds consumption and is distributed back to TMLP during the billing period, then the Customer shall be billed for the same monthly service charge as applied to other customers of the TMLP in the same rate class; not be charged any kilowatt-hours taken from TMLP and shall be credited for the net excess kilowatt-hours generated as applied to the generation and Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) charges during the billing period; with this kilowatt-hour credit appearing on Customer’s bill for the following billing period.

Does the TMLP claim any SREC's etc. associated with a solar project?
No, the TMLP does not claim nor is involved with Renewable Energy Credits.

How long does it take to receive my rebate check after project completion?
After final review and inspection by TMLP, you should receive your rebate check within 6 to 8 weeks.

Can I assign the rebate check to be payable to a third party such as solar contractor?
No. The rebate check must be payable to the TMLP customer of record where the system was installed.

I'm a commercial customer. Is there a maximum size system size that I can install on my property?
You can install any size system up to 60 KW. For larger systems of 61KW to 2000KW, maximum system size cannot exceed the customer's prior 12 months peak demand to qualify for net metering. Anything greater than that and a Purchased Power Agreement must be negotiated with the TMLP.

Does the TMLP do the installation or recommend contractors that would sell / install the system?
No, TMLP does not install the system nor recommend contractors to do the installation as we are a municipal entity and prohibited by law from doing so. TMLP provides the net meter at the end of a project and inspects the completed system.

What if I sell my house or business and I have a solar / net metering system?
If a residential or commercial customer sell their house or commercial property with an active solar / net metering system, the new owner would need to sign TMLP's "Net Metering Interconnection Agreement" in order for the new owner to actively generate electricity and participate in the TMLP Net Metering program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Mailing Address Number

Payments

Paperless Billing

Billing

Starting Service

Solar Rebates

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