I never said it was...you were wrong in your contention that everyone must use cash and coins.
What is at issue here is "private business" and "payment for goods and services." Is the power company (in this instance) a public utility? I'm unclear on that. Second, what is the arrangement i.e. pre-existing contract - would the power company be amenable to taking cash, or is it only pennies that creates an issue?
The utility is a private company. They may or may not accept cash payments in the form of currency and reasonable amounts of coins at office locations - whether they do or not is a business decision that they are free to make...and they are clearly not obligated in any way to take $500+ in pennies.
Can't this be considered a "debt", since the electric power has long been consumed? It's also a given that this gentleman must continue to make payments to keep the power on. Whether the power company would continue to keep this gentleman a customer in the future is a better question I think. Can a power company refuse service? "Yes, if you don't pay". Well, he has agreed to pay, right? although the power company is refusing payment - does the power company have the boilerplate that specifies "checks only" or something like that?
Is it your contention that property taxes, motor vehicle registrations, tags or the other myriad mandatory _government_ "fees" cannot be paid in cash in any form?
How absurd can you get?
I enjoy these "penny stories" for the thought exercise - not because I think it's perverse to annoy employees or civil servants, it's stupid. Cash is a hassle, can be stolen or worse, etc. Why bother? But it is still my contention that when money is *owed* - cash in any legal tender form should be acceptable. He may have to have it rolled, and pay in $20 increments, etc.