Here in California I worked at a bussiness where the gas company somehow forgot to send a gas/electric bill for six months. Upon receiving the bill, I got to call and talk to them and they said their policy was to spread the bill out over the time that had elapsed between bills. I seems odd that they'd need a policy for not sending bills, but they had one.

Are you sure the meeter reading is accurate? When I was a child our electric meeter exploded, and we called up and they matter of factly told us that their meeters don't explode. At least we got a free month of electricy out of ordeal. So their meeters may not been as foolproof as they claim.

Matthew