Eastern Pulp and Paper Corp. hopes to complete renovations at two mill locations.

BANGOR (AP) – Eastern Pulp and Paper Corp., facing a shut-off of its electricity for nonpayment of bills, wants permission to borrow $2 million to cover routine maintenance expenses.

The paper company, which has more than $10 million in unpaid bills, made the request to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Portland.

The bills have been accumulating since Eastern Pulp and Paper filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection almost three years ago.

Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. has served notice that it will cut off power if the paper maker fails to start paying its bills in full and on time.

Eastern Pulp agreed to the stipulation.

It owes the power company more than $2 million, court documents state.

The paper company hopes to borrow money to complete maintenance needed to renew operating licenses at its two mills, Lincoln Pulp and Paper in Lincoln and Eastern Paper in Brewer.

An attorney for Eastern Pulp stated in court documents that without the maintenance, the mills might have to be shut down.

Some creditors, including Bangor Hydro, have objected to the proposed loan and the liens that would be given to the lender, Corsair Special Situations Fund LP of New York City.

The creditors also questioned why Eastern Pulp was taking out more loans when it allegedly failed to pay other debts, including expenses for last year’s routine maintenance.

Portland attorney George Marcus, representing the paper company, said most of the objections were resolved in the last couple of days but refused to disclose the terms.

A payment arrangement between Eastern Pulp and Bangor Hydro is in negotiations.

As of Tuesday evening, Eastern Pulp’s two mills owed Bangor Hydro almost $426,000, according to court documents.