THIS ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE TRADING PARTNER AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is between (“Customer”), and Wisconsin Electric Power Company,
a Wisconsin corporation, and Wisconsin Gas LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company, collectively doing business as We Energies
(“We Energies”).
WHEREAS, We Energies is engaged in the business of providing utilities and related service to the Customer located in
We Energies’ service territory; and
WHEREAS, the Customer and We Energies desire to facilitate their business relationship by substituting electronic transactions
for certain paper-based transactions, such as billing and payment transactions, and
WHEREAS, the Customer and We Energies desire to memorialize their agreement to use electronic data interchange and their
agreement to be legally bound by electronic transactions as if they were paper-based transactions;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Customer and We Energies agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1. TERMS OF SERVICE
Section 1.1 Use of Services. Availability of services offered to the Customer to facilitate the business relationship by substituting electronic
transactions for certain paper-based transactions, such as billing and payment transactions, including all information available through the services, is
conditioned upon the Customer’s acceptance of this Agreement. The Customer agrees that after the effective date of this Agreement, if Customer authorizes
We Energies to add any other Customer utility accounts to the electronic services that Customer agrees that this Agreement shall
apply to these additional Customer accounts. The Customer’s continued use of the services constitutes the Customer’s acceptance of this Agreement.
If the Customer does not wish to be bound by this Agreement, the Customer may not use the services.
Section 1.2 Termination of Access. We Energies reserves the right to (i) refuse or cancel any person’s
registration for the services, (ii) remove any person’s credentials for accessing the services and prohibiting any person from using the services
for any reason We Energies deems appropriate in its sole discretion, and (iii) limit or terminate access to or use of the
services at any time without notice. Termination of the Customer’s access to or use of the services will not waive or affect any other right or
relief to which We Energies may be entitled, at law or in equity.
ARTICLE 2. PREREQUISITES
Section 2.1 Documents, Standards. Each party may electronically transmit to or receive from the other party (i) any of the transaction sets
listed in the appendix attached hereto as Appendix 1, and (ii) transaction sets that the parties by written agreement may add to Appendix 1 from time to
time ((i) and (ii) collectively, “Documents”). All Documents shall be transmitted in accordance with the standards and the published industry
guidelines set forth in Appendix 1.
Section 2.2 Third Party EDI Service Provider (VAN). Unless otherwise set forth in Appendix 1 or in an addendum hereto signed by the parties,
Documents will be transmitted through a third-party service provider (a “Provider”) selected by each party, and Documents shall be accessed
through the transmitting party’s Provider. Either party may change its Provider upon 30 days prior written notice to the other. As of the date
hereof, the Provider selected by each party . Each party shall be responsible for all fees charged by the Provider of its choice.
Section 2.3 Systems Operations. Each party, at its own expense, is responsible for ensuring that it can effectively and reliably
transmit Documents in accordance with the terms hereof. Towards that end, each party shall, at its own expense, provide and maintain the equipment,
software, services, and testing necessary to effectively and reliably transmit and receive Documents.
Section 2.4 Data Security. The Customer agrees that beginning on the date that the services commence under the Agreement, the Customer
shall maintain a reasonable information security program that includes technological, physical, administrative and procedural measures, that appropriately
safeguard any Documents the Customer may receive from We Energies and protects against any unauthorized access to or use of,
inability to access, or malicious infection of, We Energies systems (hereinafter, “Information Security Incident”).
The Customer is responsible for the confidentiality and security of its systems and any Documents that the Customer receives from
We Energies pursuant to this Agreement. The Customer shall select only Providers, or other suppliers that may access any Documents
or We Energies systems, that the Customer determines to be capable of maintaining appropriate data security measures. The Customer
shall contractually impose upon such Providers and other suppliers the same or substantially similar duties with respect to data security as imposed on the
Customer by this Agreement. In all events, the Customer is and shall remain fully responsible for any act, errors or omission of any Provider or other supplier
retained by the Customer.
Section 2.5 Electronic Identification of Parties. Each party shall adopt an electronic signature or identifier to verify that such party
originated the Document (an “Identifier”). The Identifier shall consist of symbol(s) or codes(s) which are to be affixed to or contained in
each Document transmitted by such party. Any Identifier of a party affixed to or contained in any transmitted Document shall be sufficient and conclusive
evidence to verify that such party originated such Document. Neither party shall disclose to any unauthorized person the Identifier of the other party.
Each party shall have the right, on 20 days prior written notice, to change its Identifier.
ARTICLE 3. TRANSMISSION
Section 3.1 Proper Receipt. Documents shall not be deemed to have been properly received until that Document is accessible to the receiving
party at such party’s receiving computer, and not the time at which the receiving party actually accesses the Document from the Provider. Each party
shall be responsible for timely accessing the transmitting party’s Provider.
Section 3.2 Verification and Acceptance. To the extent, if any, that verification of receipt of any Document by the non-transmitting
party is expressly required by the terms of this Agreement or Appendix 1, the receiving party shall promptly and properly transmit a
“functional acknowledgement” (as defined in Appendix 1) to the transmitting party. A functional acknowledgement shall constitute
conclusive evidence that a Document has been properly received.
Section 3.3 Garbled Transmission. If any properly transmitted Document is received in an unintelligible or garbled form, the receiving party
shall promptly (but in no event later than the next meter reading date) notify the origination party of same by transmitting a functional acknowledgement to
the transmitting party. In the absence of such a notice, the originating party’s records of the contents of such Document shall control.
Section 3.4 Payment. The Customer shall have the option of making all payments of its bills for energy and energy related products and services
by means of electronic transfer of funds or other method acceptable to We Energies. In the event that the Customer elects to pay by
electronic transfer of funds, the Customer shall notify We Energies thereof by transmitting the payment and remittance advice
specified in Appendix 1. In the event the Customer makes payment by another method acceptable to We Energies, the Customer
shall make payments in accordance with such terms and conditions as shall be established by We Energies as a condition of its
acceptance of such other method of payment. In the event We Energies agrees to accept a payment by means of check, the Customer
shall remit payment to: We Energies, 333 W. Everett, Milwaukee, WI 53202 or to such other address as We Energies
may from time to time establish by notice to the Customer. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, a payment made by check or electronic transfer of funds shall
not be deemed to have been received by We Energies until We Energies has received immediately available
funds in its account. In addition, notwithstanding any statement or assertion contained in Appendix 1 or any payment order, remittance information, or other
information transmitted by Customer, acceptance of any partial payment by We Energies shall not constitute satisfaction of any
portion of the corresponding payment obligation greater than the amount paid by Customer. We Energies shall have no responsibility
or liability with regard to any such payment unless and until that payment is received as aforesaid. We Energies shall have the right,
in its sole discretion, to reject or otherwise return to Customer any funds which are transmitted with inaccurate or incomplete remittance information.
All payments shall be due and payable at the same time as payments would otherwise have been due if the bills were mailed to the Customer. All charges
incurred in paying any bills by electronic means shall be borne by the Customer, except for any charges imposed by We Energies’
financial institution for receipt of the transfer.
ARTICLE 4. TRANSACTION TERMS
Section 4.1 Terms and Conditions.
(A) This Agreement is to be considered part of any other written agreement referencing this Agreement or referenced in the Appendix.
In the absence thereof, this Agreement shall constitute an independent agreement between the parties governing how energy and energy related products
and services will be billed and paid; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to waive or modify any rights and remedies that
We Energies has under law in the event the Customer fails to timely pay its bills or in the event any check is returned for
insufficient funds or the like. We Energies shall have the right to modify any provision of this Agreement as and to the
extent reasonably necessary to comply with newly imposed or amended laws, regulations or other regulatory requirements relating to
We Energies’ rendition of energy and energy related products and services to Customer.
(B) The Customer may be entitled to receive certain information in conjunction with billings for energy and energy related products and services
by virtue of statutes and rules, regulations, or orders issued by the regulatory body having jurisdiction over the location at which Customer receives such service.
The Customer understands that it is not possible to transmit the information referred to above with this type of electronic billing.
We Energies agrees to provide this information either: (i) by placing it on its Internet site; or (ii) upon
written request to We Energies. If such information is not placed on We Energies’
web site and the Customer fails to make a written request for the information, the Customer waives it right to obtain such information in written form.
Section 4.2 Discontinuance of Paper Billing. Electronic data interchange of Documents will undergo a period of testing during which Documents
will be sent electronically and corresponding paper documents will be sent by mail for a mutually agreeable period of time. At the completion of the test period,
if the parties determine the test to be successful, the mailing of paper documents will cease. In the event of any dispute during the test period, the paper
document shall control. In the event of an interruption in We Energies’ ability to transmit Documents electronically as
provided herein, We Energies shall have the right to resume paper documents.
Section 4.3 Legal Effect of Documents. Any properly transmitted Document pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered, in connection
with any underlying transaction to which it relates or any other written agreement described in Section 4.1, or this Agreement, to be a “writing”
or “in writing”; and any such Document when containing, or to which there is affixed, an Identifier (“Signed Documents”) shall be
deemed for all purposes (a) to have been “signed” and (b) to constitute an “original” when printed from electronic files or records
established and maintained in the normal course of business.
Section 4.4 Legal Effect of Conduct of the Parties. The conduct of the parties pursuant to this Agreement, including the use of Signed Documents
properly transmitted pursuant to this Agreement, shall, for all legal purposes, evidence a course of dealing and a course of performance accepted by the parties
in furtherance of this Agreement, any underlying transaction to which it relates, and any other written agreement described in Section 4.1.
Section 4.5 Validity and Enforcement. The parties agree not to contest the validity or enforceability of Signed Documents under the provisions
of any applicable law relating to whether certain agreements are to be in writing or signed by the party to be bound thereby. Signed Documents, if introduced
as evidence on paper in any judicial, arbitration, mediation, or administrative proceedings, will be admissible as between the parties to the same extent and
under the same conditions as other business records originated and maintained in documentary form. Without limiting the foregoing, neither party shall contest
the admissibility of copies of Signed Documents under either the business records exception to the hearsay rule or the best evidence rule on the basis that the
Signed Documents were not originated in ordinary documentary form.
ARTICLE 5. MISCELLANEOUS
Section 5.1 Termination. This Agreement shall remain in effect until terminated by either party with or without cause with not less than 30 days
prior written notice, which notice shall specify the effective date of termination; provided, however, that any termination shall not affect the respective
obligations or rights of the parties arising under any Documents or otherwise under this Agreement prior to the effective date of termination.
Section 5.2 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is determined to be invalid or unenforceable will be ineffective to the extent
of such determination without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions.
Section 5.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Appendix constitute the complete agreement of the parties relating to the matters specified
in this Agreement and supersede all prior representations or agreements, whether oral or written, with respect to such matters. No oral modification or waiver of
any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding on either party. No obligation to enter into any transaction is to be implied from the execution or
delivery of this Agreement. This Agreement is for the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the parties and their respective successors and assigns.
Section 5.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the state of Wisconsin.
Section 5.5 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.
(A) THE CUSTOMER AGREES THAT We Energies SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO THE CUSTOMER FOR ANY DELAY OR FAILURE TO BILL THE CUSTOMER
ON TIME, WHETHER CAUSED BY TECHNICAL OR COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEMS, AN INFORMATION SECURITY INCIDENT, OR OTHERWISE. IN ADDITION, THE CUSTOMER AGREES THAT IN NO EVENT
SHALL We Energies BE LIABLE TO THE CUSTOMER FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR AS A RESULT
OF ANY ERROR IN ANY DOCUMENT OR THE ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OR RECEIPT OF ANY DOCUMENTS PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT. THIS DISCLAIMER APPLIES, WITHOUT LIMITATION, TO
ANY DAMAGES OR INJURY ARISING FROM ANY FAILURE OF PERFORMANCE, ERROR, OMISSION, INTERRUPTION, DELETION, DEFECT, DELAY IN OPERATION OR TRANSMISSION, COMPUTER VIRUS,
FILE CORRUPTION, COMMUNICATION-LINE FAILURE, NETWORK OR SYSTEM OUTAGE, LOSS OF PROFITS BY CUSTOMER, OR THEFT, DESTRUCTION, UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO, ALTERATION OF,
LOSS OR USE OF DOCUMENTS, RECORD OR DATA, OR ANY INFORMATION SECURITY INCIDENT, AND ANY OTHER TANGIBLE OR INTANGIBLE LOSS.
(B) THE CUSTOMER’S USE OF THE SERVICES IS AT THE CUSTOMER’S SOLE RISK. THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS”
AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS. We Energies RESERVES THE RIGHT TO RESTRICT OR TERMINATE THE CUSTOMER’S ACCESS TO THE SERVICES
OR ANY FEATURE OR PART THEREOF AT ANY TIME. We Energies DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES THAT ACCESS TO THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR
ERROR-FREE; THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE SECURE; OR THAT THE SERVICES OR THE SERVER THAT MAKES THE SERVICES AVAILABLE WILL BE VIRUS-FREE.
(C) THE CUSTOMER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY INFORMATION THE CUSTOMER SENDS OR RECEIVES DURING THE CUSTOMER’S ACCESS AND/OR USE OF
THE SERVICES MAY NOT BE SECURE AND MAY BE INTERCEPTED BY UNAUTHORIZED PARTIES.
Section 5.6 Indemnification. The Customer shall defend, indemnify, save and hold harmless We Energies, its officers,
directors, employees, representatives and agents (collectively, “We Energies Indemnified Parties”) from and against all
claims and liability, to the fullest extent allowed by applicable laws, including reasonable attorney’s fees, settlement fees, costs of investigation and
defense for any claim that arises from or is caused by (i) any breach of the Customer’s representations, warranties, or covenants, breach of the duty of
good faith and fair dealing, bad faith, violation of any applicable law or regulatory code, fraudulent, malicious, or dishonest acts of the Customer acting
alone or in collusion with others during the term of this Agreement; (ii) any breach of this Agreement by the Customer; (iii) the Customer’s use of any
Provider or other supplier; or (iii) any Information Security Incident for which the Customer may be responsible under the terms of this Agreement.
APPENDIX 1 TO ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE TRADING PARTNER AGREEMENT
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
The Standards applicable to this Agreement shall be the 4010 release of the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) X12 Standards. All data dictionaries and
transmission controls referenced in that standard shall be applicable to this Agreement. In the event We Energies elects to update
the Standards to any new release, We Energies shall give not less than six months’ notice to the Customer and by the expiration
of such six month period, the Customer must upgrade to that new standard. The Guidelines applicable to this Agreement shall be: (i) the guidelines of the Data
Interchange Standards Association applicable to the Standards set forth above; (ii) with respect to the electronic transfer of funds, the Rules of the National
Automated Clearing House Association. In the event of a conflict between these guidelines and this Agreement, this Agreement shall control.
DOCUMENTS
| Transaction set no. |
Document name or description |
Acceptance required? |
| 810 |
Invoice |
Yes |
| 820 |
Payment and Remittance Advice |
No |
| 997 |
Functional Acknowledgement |
Yes |
