Questions, Problems, Appeals

Application for service should be made in person at the BPU Business Offices at 92 Steele St if at all possible.

Customer Service personnel will assist you with completion of the application.

The utility would prefer that you present two forms of identification, one of which should be a photo ID.

If you wish to apply for service over the telephone, please call the Customer Service Department at (716) 661-1660 and a representative will be able to assist you. Hours are 7 A.M. to 5:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.

You will be billed for your service once a month.

Payment is due 23 days after your bill is mailed to you.

1. Fill out an application for Residential Service - New/Upgrade Electric Service.
If you will be heating with electricity, determine the total square footage of the area to be heated, and fill out a Certificate of Compliance to Minimum Insulation Standards form. This pertains to both new services and conversion of existing service to electric heat.

2. Service Spot - Once we receive the completed application, a Jamestown Board of Public Utilities’ Staff Member will spot the area and determine where the service will be connected to your home.

3. Meter Socket & Hub - Once the spot is complete, a meter socket and hub can be picked up from our Customer Service office.

4. Electrical Inspection - Once the wiring is complete, an inspection must be performed by an electrical inspector certified by the local municipality*. You must make arrangements for the electrical inspection to be performed.

5. Certificate of Electrical Inspection - A Certificate of Electrical Inspection will be sent directly to us by the approved electrical inspector after the inspection is complete and has passed.*

6. Energize New Service – Upon receipt of the approved electrical inspection, we will schedule a service truck to energize the new service. Residential connections will be completed within 5 business days.

Temporary Services – If you are interested in a temporary service hookup, please fill out an application for New Electric Service or Upgrade to Existing Electric Service and check the Temporary Service box. A minimum $150.00 fee is required prior to service being energized. Additional charges may apply.

Access to Meters and Meter Maintenance – Customer is responsible for providing clear access to metering equipment, upkeep of meter socket/metering cabinet (excluding utility revenue metering equipment), and protection from damage of all metering equipment.

• City of Jamestown¹: Kevin Cole, Southern Tier Electrical Inspectors, PH: (716)761-6518
• Cort Wilkins, New York Board of Fire Underwriters, PH: (716)358-2459,
  Cwilkins@nybfu.org
• Town of Ellicott: Randy J. Woodbury, Code Enforcement Officer, PH: (716)665-5317 ext. 209,
  BuildingEllicott@yahoo.com
• Village of Falconer: Frank Fonti, Code Enforcement Officer, PH: (716)665-4400,
  CodeEnforcementOfficer@madbbs.com
• Village of Celoron: Richard Slagle, Code Enforcement Officer, PH: (716)487-4175

¹A Licensed Electrician is required for all electrical work within the City of Jamestown, except for owner-occupied residences and 1 or 2 family dwellings. Please review Jamestown Board of Public Utilities “Wiring Rules & Requirements” for additional information.

If you are not satisfied you can write to:

THE NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (PSC)
Consumer Services Division
Three Empire Plaza
Albany, NY 12223

Or call the PSC HELPLINE at:
1-800-342-3377
Business days, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The PSC also has a special emergency HOTLINE for residential customers for matters concerning the turn-on or turn-off of electric service. The number is:
1-800-342-3355
Business days, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A recording machine is available at this number after-hours. A representative will call you back the following business day. If your call is answered by a recording, be sure to give your area code with your phone number and your BPU account number.

For additional information, visit www.AskPSC.com

The BPU cannot turn off your service for your failure to pay the amount in question while your complaint is being considered by the Public Service Commission. All other amounts and bills are payable when rendered.