Power company threatening to shut off power at our schools

When I moved down here in 2007 Progress Energy forced us to pay a security deposit on our new account. When my husband died 18 months later I made the mistake of telling the power company when I needed to have a permit pulled and powerlines refastened to the house. They forced me to pay a security deposit double the amount of what my late husband put down prior. I was in disbelief we are the same family but because my husband did not have my name on his account the light company held me hostage to paying a new security deposit.Now I am seeing our schools are being threatened over a security deposit. This is outrageous. The state I moved from did not require security deposits on any accounts. I litterally think the POWER companies have too much power over customers.I think the politicians need to put a stop to these required deposits.Everyone is struggling civillians as well as government utility customers