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.
Of course not. They can set the rules and regulations as to the manner in which they will accept payment - you do not get to dictate their rules to them. That would be absurd.
Your contention is clearly wrong. The creditor decides in what form they will accept payments, be it check, cash - as in currency and reasonable coinage, or electronic fund transfers- the debtor does not dictate those terms.