[49 Pa.B. 2815]
[Saturday, June 1, 2019]
[Continued from previous Web Page]
Annex A
TITLE 52. PUBLIC UTILITIES
PART I. PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION
Subpart C. FIXED SERVICE UTILITIES
CHAPTER 56. STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE
Subchapter A. PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS FOR UTILITIES AND CUSTOMERS SUBJECT TO CHAPTER 14 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITY CODE § 56.1. Statement of purpose and policy.
* * * * * (b) This subchapter and Subchapters B—K apply to electric distribution utilities, natural gas distribution utilities, wastewater utilities, steam heat utilities, small natural gas utilities and water distribution utilities. Subchapters L—V apply to all customers who have been granted protection from abuse orders as provided by 23 Pa.C.S. Chapter 61 (relating to Protection from Abuse Act) or a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in this Commonwealth which provides clear evidence of domestic violence against the applicant or customer.
§ 56.2. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * * * * Applicant—
(i) A natural person at least 18 years of age not currently receiving service who applies for residential service provided by a public utility or any adult occupant whose name appears on the mortgage, deed or lease of the property for which the residential public utility service is requested.
(ii) The term does not include a person who, within 30 days after service termination or discontinuance of service, seeks to have service reconnected at the same location or transferred to another location within the service territory of the public utility.
Basic services—
(i) Services necessary for the physical delivery of residential public utility service.
(ii) The term also includes default service as defined in this section.
Billing month—A period of not less than 26 days and not more than 35 days except in the following circumstances:
(i) An initial bill for a new customer may be less than 26 days or greater than 35 days. However, if an initial bill exceeds 60 days, the customer shall be given the opportunity to amortize the amount over a period equal to the period covered by the initial bill without penalty.
(ii) A final bill due to discontinuance may be less than 26 days or greater than 35 days but may never exceed 42 days. In cases involving termination, a final bill may be less than 26 days.
(iii) Bills for less than 26 days or more than 35 days shall be permitted if they result from a rebilling initiated by the company or customer dispute to correct a billing problem.
(iv) Bills for less than 26 days or more than 35 days shall be permitted if they result from a meter reading route change initiated by the public utility. The public utility shall informally contact the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Services at least 30 days prior to the rerouting and provide information as to when the billing will occur, the number of customers affected and a general description of the geographic area involved. If a bill resulting from a meter rerouting exceeds 60 days, the customer shall be given the opportunity to amortize the amount over a period equal to the period covered by the bill without penalty.
(v) Bills for less than 26 days shall be permitted when there is a change of the customer's electric generation or natural gas supplier.
Billing period—In the case of public utilities supplying gas, electric and steam heating service, the billing period must conform to the definition of ''billing month.'' In the case of water and wastewater service, a billing period may be monthly, bimonthly or quarterly as provided in the tariff of the public utility. Customers shall be permitted to receive bills monthly and be notified of their rights thereto.
Class A water utility—A water utility with annual revenues greater than $1 million.
Creditworthiness—An assessment of an applicant's or customer's ability to meet bill payment obligations for utility service.
Customer—
(i) A natural person at least 18 years of age in whose name a residential service account is listed and who is primarily responsible for payment of bills rendered for the service or an adult occupant whose name appears on the mortgage, deed or lease of the property for which the residential public utility service is requested.
(ii) The term includes a person who, within 30 days after service termination or discontinuance of service, seeks to have service reconnected at the same location or transferred to another location within the service territory of the public utility.
* * * * * Delinquent account—Charges for public utility service which have not been paid in full by the due date stated on the bill or otherwise agreed upon; provided that an account may not be deemed delinquent if: prior to the due date, a payment arrangement with the public utility has been entered into by the customer, a timely filed notice of dispute is pending before the public utility, or, under time limits provided in this chapter, an informal or formal complaint is timely filed with and is pending before the Commission.
* * * * * Electronic notification of payment—A notification generated by an electronic payment system upon receipt of a payment from a customer using an electronic billing and payment system administered by the public utility or a system the public utility is responsible for maintaining. The notification must inform the customer of successful receipt and amount of payment and the date and time the payment was received.
* * * * * Initial inquiry—A concern or question of an applicant, customer or occupant about a public utility's application of a provision covered by this chapter, including, but not limited to, subjects such as credit determinations, deposit requirements, the accuracy of meter readings or bill amounts or the proper party to be charged. If a public utility, with the consent of the applicant, customer or occupant, offers to review pertinent records and call back the applicant, customer or occupant within 3 business days with a response, the contact will be considered an initial inquiry pending a determination of satisfaction by the applicant, customer or occupant with the company's response. If the company cannot reach the customer to convey the information obtained through a review of company records, a letter shall be sent which summarizes the information and informs the customer to contact the company within 5 business days if the customer disagrees with the company position, or has additional questions or concerns about the matter.
Medical certificate—A written document, in a form approved by the Commission, and consistent with section 56.113, that:
(i) Certifies that a customer or member of the customer's household is seriously ill or has been diagnosed with a medical condition which requires the continuation of service to treat the medical condition.
(ii) Is signed by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
Natural gas distribution service—The delivery of natural gas to retail gas customers utilizing the jurisdictional facilities of a natural gas distribution utility.
* * * * * Nurse practitioner—An individual licensed in this Commonwealth by the State Board of Nursing as a certified registered nurse practitioner under 49 Pa. Code Chapter 21, Subchapter C (relating to certified registered nurse practitioners).
* * * * * Payment arrangement—An arrangement in which a customer or applicant who admits liability for billed service is permitted to amortize or pay the unpaid balance of the account in one or more payments.
Person—An individual, partnership, corporation, association, including any lessee, assignee, trustee, receiver, executor, administrator and other successors in interest.
Physician—An individual licensed in this Commonwealth to practice medicine and surgery under 49 Pa. Code Chapter 17, Subchapter A (relating to licensure of medical doctors) or an individual licensed in this Commonwealth to practice osteopathic medicine and surgery under 49 Pa. Code Chapter 25, Subchapter A (relating to general provisions).
Physician assistant—An individual licensed by the State Board of Medicine in this Commonwealth as a physician assistant under 49 Pa. Code, Chapter 18, Subchapter D (relating to physician assistants) or an individual licensed by the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine in this Commonwealth as a physician assistant under 49 Pa. Code, Chapter 25, Subchapter C (relating to physician assistant provisions).
Premises or affected premises—Unless otherwise indicated, the residence of the occupant.
Public utility—An electric distribution utility, natural gas distribution utility, small natural gas distribution utility, steam heat utility, wastewater utility or water distribution utility in this Commonwealth that is within the jurisdiction of the Commission.
Remote reading device—
(i) A device which by electrical impulse or otherwise transmits readings from a meter, usually located within a residence, to a more accessible location outside of a residence.
(ii) The term does not include the following:
(A) AMR devices as defined in this section.
(B) Devices that permit direct interrogation of the meter.
Residential service—
(i) Public utility service supplied to a dwelling, including service provided to a commercial establishment if concurrent service is provided to a residential dwelling attached thereto.
(ii) The term does not include public utility service provided to a hotel or motel.
Small natural gas distribution utility—A public utility providing natural gas distribution services subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission that meets one of the following:
(i) Has annual gas operating revenues of less than $6 million per year.
(ii) Is not connected to an interstate gas pipeline by means of a direct connection or any indirect connection through the distribution system of another natural gas public utility or through a natural gas gathering system.
Steam heat utility—An entity producing, generating, distributing or furnishing steam for the production of heat or to or for the public for compensation.
Termination of service—Cessation of service, whether temporary or permanent, without the consent of the customer.
Unauthorized use of public utility service—Unreasonable interference or diversion of service, including meter tampering (any act which affects the proper registration of service through a meter), by-passing unmetered service that flows through a device connected between a service line and customer-owned facilities and unauthorized service restoral.
User without contract—A person as defined in 66 Pa.C.S. § 102 (relating to definitions) that takes or accepts public utility service without the knowledge or approval of the public utility, other than the unauthorized use of public utility service as defined in this section.
Wastewater utility—
(i) An entity owning or operating equipment or facilities for the collection, treatment or disposal of sewage to or for the public for compensation.
(ii) The term includes separate companies that individually provide water or wastewater service so long as the separate companies are wholly owned by a common parent company.
Water distribution utility—An entity owning or operating equipment or facilities for diverting, developing, pumping, impounding, distributing or furnishing water to or for the public for compensation.
Subchapter B. BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS
BILLING § 56.11. Billing frequency.
* * * * * (b) A public utility may utilize electronic billing in lieu of mailed paper bills. Electronic billing programs must include the following requirements:
* * * * * (5) The electronic bill must include the option for the customer to contribute to the public utility's hardship fund if the public utility is able to accept hardship fund contributions by this method.
* * * * * § 56.12. Meter reading; estimated billing; customer readings.
Except as provided in this section, a public utility shall render bills based on actual meter readings by public utility company personnel.
* * * * * (5) Remote reading devices for water, gas and electric public utilities. A public utility may render a bill on the basis of readings from a remote reading device under the following conditions:
* * * * * (iv) Nothing in this section may be construed to limit the authority of electric, gas or water utilities to gain access to a residence for the purpose of checking or reading a meter.
(6) Verification of automatic meter reading. Upon a customer request, the public utility shall secure an in-person meter reading to confirm the accuracy of an automatic meter reading device when a customer disconnects service or a new service request is received. A public utility may charge a fee, as provided in a Commission-approved tariff.
(7) Limitation of liability. If a water public utility has estimated bills and if the customer or occupant during that period has consumed an amount of water in excess of normal seasonal usage because of a verified leak that could not reasonably have been detected or other unknown loss of water, the customer is not liable for more than 150% of the average amount of water consumed for the corresponding period during the previous year. This section does not apply when the water public utility was unable to gain access and has complied with paragraph (4).
(8) Budget billing. A gas, electric and steam heating public utility shall provide its residential customers, on a year-round rolling enrollment basis, with an optional billing procedure which averages estimated public utility service costs over a 10-month, 11-month or 12-month period to eliminate, to the extent possible, seasonal fluctuations in public utility bills. The public utility shall review accounts at least three times during the optional billing period. At the conclusion of the budget billing year, a resulting reconciliation amount exceeding $100 but less than $300 shall be, at the request of the customer, amortized over a 6-month period. Reconciliation amounts exceeding $300 shall be amortized over at least a 12-month period at the request of the customer. Shorter amortization periods are permissible at the request of the customer.
(9) Notice. The public utility shall inform existing customers of their rights under this section and 66 Pa.C.S. § 1509 (relating to billing procedures).
§ 56.17. Advance payments.
Payments may be required in advance of furnishing any of the following services:
(1) Seasonal service.
(2) The construction of facilities and furnishing of special equipment.
(3) Gas and electric rendered through prepayment meters provided:
(i) The customer is nonlow income. For purposes of this section, ''nonlow income'' is defined as an individual who has an annual household gross income greater than 150% of the Federal poverty income guidelines and has a delinquency for which the individual is requesting a payment arrangement but offering terms that the public utility, after consideration of the factors in § 56.97(b) (relating to procedures upon customer or occupant contact prior to termination), finds unacceptable.
(ii) The service is being rendered to an individually-metered residential dwelling, and the customer and occupants are the only individuals affected by the installation of a prepayment meter.
(iii) The customer and public utility enter into a payment arrangement which includes, but is not limited to, the following terms:
* * * * * (v) During the first 2 years of use of prepayment meters, the public utility thoroughly and objectively evaluates the use of prepayment meters in accordance with the following:
(A) Content. The evaluation should include both process and impact components. Process evaluation should focus on whether the use of prepayment meters conforms to the program design and should assess the degree to which the program operates efficiently. The impact evaluation should focus on the degree to which the program achieves the continuation of public utility service to participants at reasonable cost levels. The evaluation should include an analysis of the costs and benefits of traditional collections or alternative collections versus the costs and benefits of handling nonlow income positive ability to pay customers through prepayment metering. This analysis should include comparisons of customer payment behavior, energy consumption, administrative costs and actual collection costs.
* * * * *
PAYMENTS § 56.21. Payment.
The due date for payment of a bill may not be less than 20 days from the date of transmittal; that is, the date of mailing, electronic transmission or physical delivery of the bill by the public utility to the customer.
* * * * * § 56.23. Application of partial payments between public utility and other service.
Payments received by a public utility without written instructions that they be applied to merchandise, appliances, special services, meter testing fees or other nonbasic charges and which are insufficient to pay the balance due for the items plus amounts billed for basic public utility service shall first be applied to the basic charges for residential public utility service.
§ 56.24. Application of partial payments among several bills for public utility service.
In the absence of written instructions, a disputed bill or a payment arrangement, payments received by a public utility which are insufficient to pay a balance due both for prior service and for service billed during the current billing period shall first be applied to the balance due for prior service.
Subchapter C. CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY
PROCEDURES FOR APPLICANTS § 56.31. Policy statement.
An essential ingredient of the credit and deposit policies of each public utility shall be the equitable and nondiscriminatory application of those precepts to potential and actual customers throughout the service area without regard to the economic character of the area or any part thereof. Deposit policies must be based upon the credit risk of the individual applicant or customer rather than the credit history of the affected premises or the collective credit reputation or experience in the area in which the applicant or customer lives and without regard to race, age over 18 years of age, National origin, marital status, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, AIDS or HIV status, or disability.
§ 56.32. Security and cash deposits.
(a) In addition to the right to collect a deposit under any Commission regulation or order, the public utility may require a cash deposit, payable during a 90-day period in accordance with § 56.38 (relating to payment period for deposits by applicants), in an amount that is equal to 1/6 of an applicant's estimated annual bill at the time the public utility determines a deposit is required, based upon the following:
(1) An applicant who previously received public utility distribution services and was a customer of the public utility and whose service was terminated for any of the following reasons:
* * * * * (v) Failure to comply with the material terms of a payment arrangement.
* * * * * (2) An applicant who is unable to establish creditworthiness to the satisfaction of the public utility through the use of a generally accepted credit scoring methodology, as provided in a Commission-approved tariff, and which employs standards for using the methodology that fall within the range of general industry practice. The credit scoring methodology utilized for this purpose must specifically assess the risk of public utility bill payment.
* * * * * (c) Prior to providing public utility service, a public utility may require the applicant to provide the names of each adult occupant residing at the location and proof of their identity. For purposes of this section, valid identification consists of one government issued photo identification. If one government issued photo identification is not available, the public utility may require the applicant to present two alternative forms of identification, as long as one of the identifications includes a photo of the individual. In lieu of requiring identification, the public utility may ask, but may not require, the individual to provide the individual's Social Security Number. Public utilities shall take all appropriate actions needed to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of identification information provided by their applicants and customers.
(d) A public utility is not required to provide service if the applicant fails to pay the full amount of the cash deposit within the time periods under § 56.38. If the applicant chooses to pay the deposit in installments, installment payments must be paid in full by the due date. Failure to pay an installment in full by the due date is grounds for termination of service as provided in § 56.81 (relating to authorized termination of service).
(e) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a public utility may not require a cash deposit from an applicant who is, based upon household income, confirmed to be eligible for a customer assistance program. An applicant is confirmed to be eligible for a customer assistance program by the public utility if the applicant provides income documents or other information attesting to his or her eligibility for state benefits based on household income eligibility requirements that are consistent with those of the public utility's customer assistance programs.
§ 56.35. Payment of outstanding balance.
* * * * * (b) A public utility may not require, as a condition of the furnishing of residential service, payment for residential service previously furnished under an account in the name of a person other than the applicant, except as provided for in paragraphs (1) and (2).
(1) A public utility may require the payment of an outstanding balance or portion of an outstanding balance if the applicant resided at the property for which service is requested during the time the outstanding balance accrued and for the time the applicant resided there, not exceeding 4 years from the date of the service request. The 4-year limit does not apply if the balance includes amounts that the public utility was not aware of because of fraud or theft on the part of the applicant.
* * * * * § 56.36. Written procedures.
* * * * * (b) A public utility shall establish written procedures for determining the credit status of an applicant and for determining responsibility for unpaid balances in accordance with § 56.35 (relating to payment of outstanding balance). The written procedures must specify that there are separate procedures and standards for victims with a protection from abuse order or a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in this Commonwealth which provides clear evidence of domestic violence. The procedures must also specify that any applicant that is confirmed to be eligible for a customer assistance program will not be required to pay a deposit. A public utility employee processing applications or determining the credit status of applicants shall be supplied with or have ready access to a copy of the written procedures of the public utility. A copy of these procedures shall be maintained on file in each of the business offices of the public utility and made available, upon request, for inspection by members of the public and the Commission and be included on the public utility's web site.
(1) Reasons for denial of credit. If credit is denied, the public utility shall inform the applicant in writing of the reasons for the denial within 3 business days of the denial. This information may be provided electronically to the applicant with the applicant's consent. The written denial statement must include the provider of the credit score, information on the applicant's ability to challenge the accuracy of the credit score and how to contact the credit score provider. If the public utility is requiring payment of an unpaid balance in accordance with § 56.35, the public utility shall specify in writing the amount of the unpaid balance, the dates during which the balance accrued and the location and customer name at which the balance accrued. The statement must inform the applicant of the right to furnish a third-party guarantor in accordance with § 56.33 (relating to third-party guarantors) and the right to contact the Commission. The statement must include information informing victims of domestic violence with a protection from abuse order, or a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in this Commonwealth which provides clear evidence of domestic violence, that more lenient credit and liability standards may be available. The statement must also inform the applicant that if he or she is, based upon household income, confirmed to be eligible for a customer assistance program a deposit is not required. The public utility shall inform the applicant of the procedures and documentation necessary to qualify for an exemption from a security deposit requirement.
* * * * * § 56.38. Payment period for deposits by applicants.
(a) The due date for payment of a deposit or any installment payment toward a deposit, other than an initial installment or a deposit required as a condition for the reconnection of service under § 56.41(2) (relating to general rule) may not be less than 21 days from the date of mailing or service on the applicant of notification of the amount due.
(b) An applicant required by a public utility to pay a deposit under § 56.32 (relating to security and cash deposits) or an applicant paying a deposit for the reconnection of service under § 56.41(2) may be required by the public utility to pay 50% prior to, and as a condition of, the reconnection of service with 25% billed 30 days after reconnection of service and 25% billed 60 days after the reconnection of service. The public utility shall inform the applicant of the option to pay the deposit in the installments described in this subsection. If the applicant chooses to pay the deposit in installments, installment payments must be paid in full by the due date. Failure to pay an installment by the due date is grounds for termination of service as provided in § 56.81 (relating to authorized termination of service). The applicant retains the option to pay the deposit amount in full before the due date regardless of any deposit installments previously paid.
PROCEDURES FOR EXISTING CUSTOMERS § 56.41. General rule.
A public utility may require an existing customer to post a deposit to reestablish credit under the following circumstances:
(1) Delinquent accounts. Whenever a customer has been delinquent in the payment of any two consecutive bills or three or more bills within the preceding 12 months.
* * * * * (ii) Except in the case of adjustments to budget billing plans, a public utility may issue a notification or subsequent request for a deposit based, in whole or in part, on a delinquent account arising out of a make-up bill as defined in § 56.14 (relating to previously unbilled public utility service) under the following conditions:
(A) The public utility has complied with § 56.14. Compliance with a payment arrangement by the customer discharges the delinquency and a notification or request for deposit may not thereafter be issued based on the make-up bill.
(B) If a make-up bill exceeds the otherwise normal estimated bill by at least 50% and if the customer makes payment in full after the bill is delinquent but before a notification of intent to request a deposit is given to the customer, a notification or request for deposit may not thereafter be issued based on the make-up bill.
(2) Condition to the reconnection of service. A public utility may require a deposit as a condition to reconnection of service following a termination in accordance with § 56.191 (relating to payment and timing).
(3) Failure to comply with payment arrangement. A public utility may require a deposit, whether or not service has been terminated, when a customer fails to comply with a material term or condition of a payment arrangement.
(4) Cash deposit prohibition. Notwithstanding paragraphs (1)—(3), a public utility may not require a customer that, based upon household income, is confirmed to be eligible for a customer assistance program to provide a cash deposit. A customer is confirmed to be eligible for a customer assistance program by the public utility when the customer provides income documents or other information that he or she is eligible for state benefits based upon household income eligibility requirements that are consistent with those of the public utility's customer assistance programs.
§ 56.42. Payment period for deposits by customers.
(a) Due date. The due date for payment of a deposit, other than a deposit required as a condition for the reconnection of service under § 56.41(2) (relating to general rule), may not be less than 21 days from the date of mailing or service on the customer of notification of the amount due.
(b) Delinquent account. A customer paying a deposit under § 56.41(1) may elect to pay a required deposit in three installments: 50% billed upon the determination by the public utility that the deposit is required, 25% billed 30 days after the determination and 25% billed 60 days after the determination. The public utility shall inform the customer of the option to pay the deposit in the installments described in this subsection. If the customer chooses to pay the deposit in installments, installment payments must be paid in full by the due date. Failure to pay an installment by the due date is grounds for termination of service as provided in § 56.81 (relating to authorized termination of service). The customer retains the option to pay the deposit amount in full before the due date regardless of any deposit installments previously paid.
(c) Reconnection of service. A customer paying a deposit for the reconnection of service under § 56.41(2) may be required to pay 50% prior to, and as a condition of, the reconnection of service with 25% billed 30 days after reconnection of service and 25% billed 60 days after the reconnection of service. The public utility shall inform the customer of the option to pay the deposit in the installments described in this subsection. If the customer chooses to pay the deposit in installments, installment payments must be paid in full by the due date. Failure to pay an installment by the due date is grounds for termination of service as provided in § 56.81. The customer retains the option to pay the deposit amount in full before the due date regardless of any deposit installments previously paid.
(d) Failure to comply with a payment arrangement. A customer paying a deposit under § 56.41(3) may be required by the public utility to pay the deposit in three installments: 50% billed upon the determination by the public utility that the deposit is required; 25% billed 30 days after the determination; and 25% billed 60 days after the determination. The public utility shall inform the customer of the option to pay the deposit in the installments described in this subsection. If the customer chooses to pay the deposit in installments, installment payments must be paid in full by the due date. Failure to pay an installment by the due date is grounds for termination of service as provided in § 56.81 (relating to authorized termination of service). The customer retains the option to pay the deposit amount in full before the due date regardless of any deposit installments previously paid.
CASH DEPOSITS § 56.53. Deposit hold period and refund.
(a) A public utility may hold a deposit until a timely payment history is established.
(b) A timely payment history is established when a customer has paid in full and on time for any 12 consecutive months.
(c) At the end of the deposit holding period as established in subsection (a), the public utility shall deduct the outstanding balance from the deposit and return or credit any positive difference to the customer. At the option of the public utility, a cash deposit, including accrued interest, may be refunded in whole or in part, at any time earlier than the time stated in this section.
* * * * * (f) A public utility shall refund a deposit, along with any applicable interest, within 60 days upon determining that the customer or applicant from whom a deposit was collected is not subject to a deposit under § 56.32(e) (relating to security and cash deposits) or § 56.41(4) (relating to general rule).
§ 56.57. Interest rate.
The public utility shall accrue interest on the deposit until it is returned or credited.
(1) Interest shall be computed at the simple annual interest rate determined by the Secretary of Revenue for interest on the underpayment of tax under section 806 of The Fiscal Code (72 P.S. § 806).
(2) The interest rate in effect when the deposit is required to be paid shall remain in effect until the date the deposit is refunded or credited, or December 31, whichever is later. A deposit initially accrues interest at the interest rate in effect at the time the deposit was required. This interest rate remains in effect until the end of the calendar year.
(3) On January 1 of each year, the new interest rate for that year will apply to the deposit. The new interest rate will be applied to the deposit for the calendar year starting January 1 until December 31 of that same year. Revised interest rates are calculated every subsequent January 1 and applied to the deposit until the deposit is refunded or applied to the account.
Subchapter D. INTERRUPTION AND DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE § 56.72. Discontinuance of service.
A public utility may discontinue service without prior written notice under the following circumstances:
* * * * * (2) Other premises or dwellings. Other premises or dwellings as follows:
(i) When a customer requests discontinuance at a dwelling other than the customer's residence or at a single meter multifamily residence, whether or not the customer's residence but, in either case, only under either of the following conditions:
(A) The customer states in writing that the premises are unoccupied. The statement must be on a form conspicuously bearing notice that information provided by the customer will be relied upon by the Commission in administering a system of uniform service standards for public utilities and that any false statements are punishable criminally. When the customer fails to provide a notice, or when the customer has falsely stated the premises are unoccupied, the customer shall be responsible for payment of public utility bills until the public utility discontinues service.
* * * * *
Subchapter E. TERMINATION OF SERVICE
GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION § 56.81. Authorized termination of service.
A public utility may notify a customer and terminate service provided to a customer after notice as provided in §§ 56.91—56.100 (relating to notice procedures prior to termination) for any of the following actions by the customer:
* * * * * (4) Failure to comply with the material terms of a payment arrangement.
§ 56.82. Timing of termination.
A public utility may terminate service for the reasons in § 56.81 (relating to authorized termination of service) from Monday through Thursday as long as the public utility is able to accept payment to restore service on the day of termination and on the following day and can restore service consistent with § 56.191 (relating to payment and timing).
§ 56.83. Unauthorized termination of service.
Unless expressly and specifically authorized by the Commission, service may not be terminated nor will a termination notice be sent for any of the following reasons:
* * * * * (6) Noncompliance with a payment arrangement prior to the due date of the bill which forms the basis of the agreement.
(7) Nonpayment of charges for public utility service for which the public utility ceased billing more than 4 years prior to the date the bill is rendered.
* * * * *
NOTICE PROCEDURES PRIOR TO TERMINATION § 56.91. General notice provisions and contents of termination notice.
* * * * * (b) A notice of termination must include, in conspicuous print, clearly and fully the following information when applicable:
* * * * * (4) The date on or after which service will be terminated unless one of the following occurs:
(i) Payment in full is received.
(ii) The grounds for termination are otherwise eliminated.
(iii) A payment arrangement is established.
(iv) Enrollment is made in a customer assistance program or its equivalent, if the customer is eligible for the program.
(v) A dispute is filed with the Public Utility or the Commission.
(vi) Payment in full of amounts past due on the most recent payment arrangement is received.
* * * * * (6) A statement that the customer should immediately contact the public utility to attempt to resolve the matter. The statement must include the address and telephone number where questions may be asked, how payment arrangements may be negotiated and entered into with the public utility, and where applications can be found and submitted for enrollment into the public utility's universal service programs, if these programs are offered by the public utility.
(7) The following statement: ''If you have questions or need more information, contact us as soon as possible at (public utility phone number). After you talk to us, if you are not satisfied, you may file a complaint with the Public Utility Commission. The Public Utility Commission may delay the shut off if you file the complaint before the shut off date. To contact them, call 1 (800) 692-7380 or write to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, P.O. Box 3265, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-3265.''
(8) A medical certificate notice in compliance with the form in Appendix A (relating to medical emergency notice) except that, for the purpose of § 56.96 (relating to post-termination notice), the notice must comply with the form in Appendix B (relating to medical emergency notice).
* * * * * (11) Information indicating that special protections are available for victims under a protection from abuse order or a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in this Commonwealth which provides clear evidence of domestic violence and how to contact the public utility to obtain more information on these protections.
* * * * * (17) Information in Spanish directing Spanish-speaking customers to the numbers to call for information and translation assistance. Similar information shall be included in other languages when census data indicates that 5% or more of the residents of the public utility's service territory are using that language.
(18) Contact information for customers with disabilities that need assistance.
§ 56.93. Personal contact.
(a) Except when authorized under § 56.71, § 56.72 or § 56.98 (relating to interruption of service; discontinuance of service; and immediate termination for unauthorized use, fraud, tampering or tariff violations), a public utility may not interrupt, discontinue or terminate service without attempting to contact the customer or responsible adult occupant, either in person, by telephone or electronically with the customer's consent, to provide notice of the proposed termination at least 3 days prior to the scheduled termination using one of the methods in this section. If personal contact by one method is not possible, the public utility is obligated to attempt another method.
(1) Phone contact shall be deemed complete upon attempted calls on 2 separate days to the residence between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. if the calls were made at various times each day, with the various times of the day being daytime before 5 p.m. and evening after 5 p.m. and at least 2 hours apart. Calls made to contact telephone numbers provided by the customer shall be deemed to be calls to the residence.
(2) If contact is attempted in person by a home visit, only one attempt is required. The public utility shall conspicuously post a written termination notice at the residence if it is unsuccessful in attempting to personally contact a responsible adult occupant during the home visit.
(3) Contact by e-mail, text message or other electronic messaging format consistent with the Commission's privacy guidelines and approved by Commission order. The electronic notification option is voluntary and shall only be used if the customer has given prior consent approving the use of a specific electronic message format for the purpose of notification of a pending termination. Electronic contact shall be deemed complete if, after attempted transmittal, no message is received indicating that the transmittal was undeliverable or otherwise not received. If the utility receives notification that the transmittal was undeliverable or otherwise not received, the utility shall attempt to contact the customer either in person or by telephone, consistent with the requirements of this section.
(b) The content of the 3-day personal contact notice must include the earliest date at which termination may occur and the following information:
* * * * * (c) The public utility shall ask the customer or occupant if he or she has questions about the 10-day written notice the public utility previously sent.
§ 56.94. Procedures immediately prior to termination.
Immediately preceding the termination of service, a public utility employee, who may be the public utility employee designated to perform the termination, shall attempt to make personal contact with a responsible adult occupant at the residence of the customer.
* * * * * (3) Dishonorable tender of payment after receiving termination notice. After a public utility has provided a written termination notice under § 56.91 (relating to general notice provisions and contents of termination notice) and attempted contact as provided in § 56.93 (relating to personal contact), termination of service may proceed without additional notice when:
(i) A customer tenders payment which is subsequently dishonored under 13 Pa.C.S. § 3502 (relating to dishonor).
(ii) A customer tenders payment with an access device, as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 4106(d) (relating to access device fraud), which is unauthorized, revoked or canceled.
(iii) A customer tenders payment electronically that is subsequently dishonored, revoked, canceled or is otherwise not authorized and which has not been cured or otherwise paid in full within 3 business days of the public utility's dishonored payment notice to the customer under § 56.93(a).
§ 56.97. Procedures upon customer or occupant contact prior to termination.
(a) If, after the issuance of the initial termination notice and prior to the actual termination of service, a customer or occupant contacts the public utility concerning a proposed termination, a public utility shall fully explain:
(1) The reasons for the proposed termination.
(2) All available methods for avoiding a termination, including the following:
(i) Tendering payment in full or otherwise eliminating the grounds for termination.
(ii) Entering a payment arrangement.
(iii) Paying what is past-due on the most recent previous company negotiated or Commission payment arrangement.
(3) Information about the public utility's universal service programs, including the customer assistance program. Refer the customer or applicant to the universal service program of the public utility to determine eligibility for a program and to apply for enrollment in a program.
(4) The medical emergency procedures.
(b) The public utility shall exercise good faith and fair judgment in attempting to enter a reasonable payment arrangement or otherwise equitably resolve the matter. Factors to be taken into account when attempting to enter into a reasonable payment arrangement include the size of the unpaid balance, the ability of the customer to pay, the payment history of the customer and the length of time over which the bill accumulated. Payment arrangements for heating customers shall be based upon budget billing as determined under § 56.12(8) (relating to meter reading; estimated billing; customer readings). If a payment arrangement is not established, the company shall further explain the following:
* * * * * § 56.100. Winter termination procedures.
* * * * * (e) Identification of accounts protected during the winter. Public utilities shall determine the eligibility of an account for termination during the period of December 1 through March 31 under the criteria in subsections (b) and (c) before terminating service. Public utilities are to use household income and size information they have on record provided by customers to identify accounts that are not to be terminated during the period of December 1 through March 31. Public utilities are expected to solicit from customers, who contact the public utility in response to notices of termination, household size and income information and to use this information to determine eligibility for termination. Public utilities who intend to require verification of household income information submitted by consumers relating to this subsection shall include, in their tariffs filed with the Commission, the procedures they intend to implement to obtain verification. The procedures should specify the proof or evidence the public utility will accept as verification of household income.
(f) Landlord ratepayer accounts. During the period of December 1 through March 31, a public utility may not terminate service to a premises when the account is in the name of a landlord ratepayer as defined in 66 Pa.C.S. § 1521 (relating to definitions) except for the grounds in § 56.98.
(g) Right of public utility to petition the Commission for permission to terminate service to a customer protected by the prohibitions in this section.
(1) The public utility shall comply with §§ 56.91—56.95 including personal contact, as defined in § 56.93 (relating to personal contact), at the premises if occupied.
(2) If at the conclusion of the notification process defined in §§ 56.91—56.95, a reasonable arrangement cannot be reached between the public utility and the customer, the public utility shall register with the Commission, in writing, a request for permission to terminate service, accompanied by a public utility report as defined in § 56.152 (relating to contents of the public utility company report). At the same time, the public utility shall serve the customer a copy of the written request registered with the Commission.
(3) If the customer has filed an informal complaint or if the Commission has acted upon the public utility's written request, the matter shall proceed under §§ 56.161—56.165. Nothing in this section may be construed to limit the right of a public utility or customer to appeal a decision by the Bureau of Consumer Services under 66 Pa.C.S. § 701 (relating to complaints) and §§ 56.171—56.173 and 56.211.
(h) Survey of terminated heat related accounts. For premises where heat related service has been terminated within the past year for any of the grounds in § 56.81 (relating to authorized termination of service) or § 56.98, electric distribution utilities, natural gas distribution utilities and Class A water distribution utilities shall, within 90 days prior to December 1, survey and attempt to make post-termination personal contact with the occupant or a responsible adult at the premises and in good faith attempt to reach an agreement regarding payment of any arrearages and restoration of service.
(i) Reporting of survey results. Electric distribution utilities, natural gas distribution utilities and Class A water distribution utilities shall file a brief report outlining their pre-December 1 survey and personal contact results with the Bureau of Consumer Services on or before December 15 of each year. Each public utility shall update the survey and report the results to the Bureau of Consumer Services on February 1 of each year to reflect any change in the status of the accounts subsequent to the December 15 filing, including any accounts terminated in December. For the purposes of the February 1 update of survey results, the public utility shall attempt to contact by telephone, if available, a responsible adult person or occupant at each residence in a good faith attempt to reach an agreement regarding payment of any arrearages and restoration of service.
(j) Reporting of deaths at locations where public utility service was previously terminated. Throughout the year, public utilities shall report to the Commission when, in the normal course of business, they become aware of a household fire, incident of hypothermia or carbon monoxide poisoning or other event that resulted in a death and that the public utility service was off at the time of the incident. Within 1 business day of becoming aware of an incident, the public utility shall submit a telephone or electronic report to the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Services including, if available, the name, address and account number of the last customer of record, the date of the incident, a brief statement of the circumstances involved and, if available from an official source or the media, the initial findings as to the cause of the incident and the source of that information. The Bureau or Commission may request additional information on the incident and the customer's account. Information submitted to the Commission in accordance with this subsection will be treated in accordance with 66 Pa.C.S. § 1508 (relating to reports of accidents) and may not be open for public inspection except by order of the Commission, and may not be admitted into evidence for any purpose in any suit or action for damages growing out of any matter or thing mentioned in the report.
EMERGENCY PROVISIONS § 56.111. General provision.
A public utility may not terminate service, or refuse to restore service, to a premises when a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner has certified that the customer or an applicant seeking restoration of service under § 56.191 (relating to payment and timing) or a member of the customer's or applicant's household is seriously ill or afflicted with a medical condition that will be aggravated by cessation of service. The customer shall obtain a letter from a licensed physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner verifying the condition and promptly forward it to the public utility. The determination of whether a medical condition qualifies for the purposes of this section resides entirely with the physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant and not with the public utility. A public utility may not impose any qualification standards for medical certificates other than those specified in this section.
§ 56.113. Medical certifications.
Medical certifications must be in writing. Public utilities may develop a medical certificate form. The public utility's medical certificate may not be mandatory. A medical certificate form developed by the public utility shall be made readily available. Medical certificates may be electronically transmitted and electronic signatures are valid. A medical certificate must include all of the following:
(1) The name and address of the customer or applicant in whose name the account is registered.
(2) The name and address of the afflicted person and relationship to the customer or applicant.
(3) The anticipated length of the affliction.
(4) The name, office address and telephone number of the certifying physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
(5) The signature of the certifying physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
§ 56.116. Duty of customer to pay bills.
Whenever service is restored or termination postponed under the medical emergency procedures, the customer shall retain a duty to make payment on all current undisputed bills or budget billing amount as determined under § 56.12(8) (relating to meter reading; estimated billing; customer readings).
§ 56.118. Right of public utility to petition the Commission.
* * * * * (b) A public utility shall continue to provide service while a final Commission adjudication on the petition is pending. A petition under this section shall be accompanied by a public utility report described in § 56.152 (relating to contents of the public utility company report) and shall be filed with the Secretary of the Commission with a copy served to the customer.
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Subchapter F. DISPUTES; TERMINATION DISPUTES; INFORMAL AND FORMAL COMPLAINTS
PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANY DISPUTE PROCEDURES § 56.151. General rule.
Upon initiation of a dispute covered by this section, the public utility shall:
(1) Not issue a termination notice based on the disputed subject matter.
(2) Investigate the matter using methods reasonable under the circumstances, which may include telephone or personal conferences, or both, with the customer or occupant.
(3) Make a diligent attempt to negotiate a reasonable payment arrangement if the customer or occupant is eligible for a payment arrangement and claims a temporary inability to pay an undisputed bill. Factors which shall be considered in the negotiation of a payment arrangement include, but are not limited to:
* * * * * (5) Within 30 days of the initiation of the dispute, issue its report to the complaining party. The public utility shall inform the complaining party that the report is available upon request.
(i) If the complainant is not satisfied with the dispute resolution, the public utility company report must be in writing and conform to § 56.152 (relating to contents of the public utility company report). Further, in these instances, the written report shall be sent to the complaining party if requested or if the public utility deems it necessary.
(ii) If the complaining party is satisfied with the orally conveyed dispute resolution, the written public utility company report may be limited to the information in § 56.152(1), (2) and, when applicable, § 56.152(7)(ii) or (8)(ii).
(iii) The information and documents required under this subsection may be electronically provided to the complaining party as long as the complaining party has the ability to accept electronic documents and consents to receiving them electronically.
§ 56.152. Contents of the public utility company report.
A public utility company report must include the following:
* * * * * (4) A statement that if the complaining party does not agree with the public utility company report, an informal complaint shall be filed with the Commission to ensure the preservation of all of the complaining party's rights.
* * * * * (7) If the matter in dispute involves a billing dispute, the public utility company report must include the following:
(i) An itemized statement of the account of the complaining customer specifying the amount of credit, if any, and the proper amount due.
(ii) The date on or after which the account will become delinquent unless a payment arrangement is entered into or an informal complaint is filed with the Commission. This date may not be earlier than the due date of the bill or 15 days after the issuance of a public utility company report, whichever is later.
(8) If the matter involves a dispute other than a billing dispute, the public utility company report must also state the following:
(i) The action required to be taken to avoid the termination of service.
(ii) The date on or after which service will be terminated in accordance with the applicable requirements unless the report is complied with, or a payment arrangement entered into or an informal complaint filed. This date may not be earlier than the original date for compliance with the matter which gave rise to the dispute or 10 days from the date of issuance of the public utility company report, whichever is later. If the public utility company report is in writing, the information in this paragraph must be prominently displayed.
INFORMAL COMPLAINT PROCEDURES § 56.163. Commission informal complaint procedure.
Upon the filing of an informal complaint, which shall be captioned as ''(Complainant) v. (public utility),'' Commission staff will immediately notify the public utility; review the dispute; and, within a reasonable period of time, issue to the public utility and the complaining party an informal report with findings and a decision. Parties may represent themselves or be represented by counsel or other person of their choice, and may bring witnesses to appear on their behalf. The reports will be in writing and a summary will be sent to the parties if a party requests it or if the Commission staff finds that a summary is necessary.
(1) Review techniques. Review will be by an appropriate means, including, but not limited to, public utility company reports, telephone calls, conferences, written statements, research, inquiry and investigation. Procedures will be designed to ensure a fair and reasonable opportunity to present pertinent evidence and to challenge evidence submitted by the other party to the dispute, to examine a list of witnesses who will testify and documents, records, files, account data, records of meter tests and other material that the Commission staff will determine may be relevant to the issues, and to question witnesses appearing on behalf of other parties. Information and documents requested by Commission staff as part of the review process shall be provided by the public utility within 30 days of the request. If the complainant is without public utility service, or in other emergency situations as identified by Commission staff, the information requested by Commission staff shall be provided by the public utility within 5 business days of the request.
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FORMAL COMPLAINTS § 56.173. Review from informal complaint decisions of the Bureau of Consumer Services.
* * * * * (f) Commission review. The Commission will review the decision of the assigned administrative law judge or special agent, commit it to advisory staff for further analysis, remand it to an administrative law judge or special agent for further development of the record or issue a final order. The burden of proof for the formal complaint remains with the party who filed the informal complaint. For legal or policy issues raised by the public utility, the burden of proof for the formal complaint will be with the public utility raising the legal or policy issue.
Subchapter G. RESTORATION OF SERVICE § 56.191. Payment and timing.
* * * * * (c) Payment to restore service.
(1) A public utility shall provide for and inform the applicant or customer of a location where the customer can make payment to restore service. A public utility shall inform the applicant or customer that conditions for restoration of service may differ if someone in the household is a victim of domestic violence with a protection from abuse order or a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in this Commonwealth which provides clear evidence of domestic violence. A public utility shall also inform the applicant or customer that the timing and conditions for restoration of service may differ if someone in the household is seriously ill or affected by a medical condition which will be aggravated without public utility service.
(2) A public utility may require:
(i) Full payment of any outstanding balance incurred together with any reconnection fees by the customer or applicant prior to reconnection of service if the customer or applicant has an income exceeding 300% of the Federal poverty level or has defaulted on two or more payment arrangements. For purposes of this section, neither a payment arrangement intended to amortize a make-up bill under § 56.14 (relating to previously unbilled public utility service) or the definition of ''billing month'' in § 56.2 (relating to definitions), nor a payment arrangement that has been paid in full by the customer, are to be considered a default. Budget billing plans and amortization of budget plan reconciliation amounts under § 56.12(8) (relating to meter reading; estimated billing; customer readings) may not be considered a default for the purposes of this section.
* * * * * (e) Approval. A public utility may establish that an applicant or customer previously resided at a property for which residential service is requested through the use of mortgage, deed or lease information, a commercially available consumer credit reporting service or other methods approved as valid by the Commission. Public utilities shall include in their tariffs filed with the Commission the methods, other than those specifically mentioned in this subsection, used to determine liability for outstanding balances.
(f) Dishonorable tender of payment for reconnection of service. A public utility may immediately terminate service if a payment for reconnection of service is subsequently dishonored, revoked, canceled or otherwise not authorized and which has not been cured or otherwise paid in full within 3 business days of the public utility's dishonored payment notice to the customer under § 56.93(a) (relating to personal contact).
Subchapter H. PUBLIC INFORMATION PROCEDURES; RECORD MAINTENANCE § 56.201. Public information.
(a) In addition to the notice requirements in this chapter, the Commission will, within 6 months of the effective date of a change to a regulation in this chapter, prepare a summary of the rights and responsibilities of the public utility and its customers affected by the change. Summaries will be mailed by the public utility to each customer of the public utility affected by the change. These summaries, as well as a summary of the rights and responsibilities of the public utility and its customers in accordance with this chapter, shall be in writing, reproduced by the public utility, displayed prominently, available on the public utility's web site if the public utility has one and available at all public utility office locations open to the general public. The public utility shall inform new customers of the availability of this information and direct where to locate it on the public utility's web site. The public utility shall deliver or mail a copy upon the request of a customer or applicant.
(b) A public utility which serves a substantial number of Spanish-speaking customers shall provide billing information in English and in Spanish. The written information must indicate conspicuously that it is being provided in accordance with this title and contain information concerning, but not limited to, the following:
* * * * * (13) Information indicating that additional consumer protections may be available for victims of domestic violence who have a protection from abuse order or a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in this Commonwealth which provides clear evidence of domestic violence, people with serious illnesses and low income households.
§ 56.202. Record maintenance.
A public utility shall preserve for a minimum of 4 years written or recorded disputes and complaints, keep the records accessible within this Commonwealth at an office located in the territory served by it and make the records available for examination by the Commission or its staff. Information to be maintained includes the following:
(1) The payment performance of each of its customers.
(2) The number of payment arrangements made by the public utility company and a synopsis of the terms, conditions and standards upon which arrangements were made.
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Subchapter K. PUBLIC UTILITY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS § 56.231. Reporting requirements.
(a) Within 15 days after the end of each month, each electric distribution utility, natural gas distribution utility and class A water distribution utility shall file with the Commission a report containing all of the following information concerning residential accounts for that month:
(1) The total number of residential heating customers.
(2) The total number of residential nonheating customers.
(3) The total number of active residential accounts in arrears not on a payment arrangement.
(4) The total dollar amount in arrears for active residential accounts in arrears and not on a payment arrangement.
(5) The total number of active residential accounts in arrears and on a payment arrangement.
(6) The total dollar amount in arrears for active residential accounts in arrears and on a payment arrangement.
* * * * * (12) The total number of 3-day termination notices completed by telephone.
(13) The total number of 3-day termination notices completed by electronic messaging formats.
(14) The total number of 48-hour termination notices posted.
(15) The total number of terminations for nonpayment.
(16) The total number of terminations for reasons other than nonpayment.
(17) The total number of terminations for nonpayment and for reasons other than nonpayment categorized by the first three digits of each account's postal code.
(18) The total number of reconnections for full customer payment, partial payment or payment arrangement.
(19) The total number of reconnections for customer submission of medical certification.
(20) The total number of reconnections for reasons other than customer payment or medical certification.
(21) The total number of applicants that are requested to pay or are billed a security deposit.
(22) The total dollar amount in security deposits that are requested of or billed to applicants.
(23) The total number of customers that are requested to pay or are billed a security deposit.
(24) The total dollar amount in security deposits that are requested of or billed to customers.
(b) Within 90 days after the end of each year, each electric distribution utility, natural gas distribution utility and class A water distribution utility shall file with the Commission a report containing all of the following information concerning residential accounts for the previous year:
* * * * * (10) The average monthly usage for a nonheating customer.
(11) The total number of medical certificates and renewals that have been submitted by customers.
(12) The total number of medical certificates and renewals that have been accepted by the public utility.
(c) Within 90 days after the end of each year, each electric distribution utility, natural gas distribution utility and class A water distribution utility shall file with the Commission a report containing all of the following information concerning all active individual residential accounts for the previous year except accounts when someone has presented a protection from abuse order or a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in this Commonwealth which provides clear evidence of domestic violence. Each account reported must be identified to the Commission with a unique account identifier that the public utility can match to the account. The unique identifier for an account shall be used in any subsequent reporting to identify that account. Customer names, addresses, account numbers, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, Social Security numbers or any other information that could be used to identify the customer may not be included.
(1) Any account with an arrearage at or exceeding $10,000 as of December 31 of the calendar year. The information concerning each individual reported account must include all of the following:
(i) Unique account identifier.
(ii) The account balance as of December 31 of the calendar year.
(iii) The date the account was established.
(iv) The average monthly bill amount for the previous 12 months.
(v) The number of Commission informal and formal complaints.
(vi) The number of company payment arrangements.
(vii) The number of times the customer's service was terminated for nonpayment.
(viii) The number of 10-day termination notices issued.
(2) The Commission may request more detailed information on an account.
(d) Within 90 days after the end of each calendar year, each small natural gas distribution utility and each steam heat utility shall file with the Commission a report containing all of the following information concerning residential accounts for the previous year:
(1) The total number of residential customers as of the end of each month for the calendar year.
(2) The total number of terminations for nonpayment for each month of the calendar year.
(3) The total number of terminations for reasons other than nonpayment for each month of the calendar year.
(4) The total number of reconnections for customer payment for each month of the calendar year.
(5) The total number of reconnections for customer submission of medical certification for each month of the calendar year.
(6) The total number of reconnections for reasons other than customer payment or medical certification for each month of the calendar year.
(7) The total dollar amount of annual residential billings.
(8) The total dollar amount of annual gross residential write-offs.
(e) Public utilities shall refer to the data dictionaries in appendices C and D (relating to definitions (§ 56.231)) for additional guidance as to the terms used in this section.
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