§ 56.15. Billing information.
A bill rendered by a public utility for metered residential public utility service must state clearly the following information:
(1) The beginning and ending dates of the billing period.
(2) If applicable, the beginning and ending meter readings for the billing period. If a bill is estimated, it shall contain a clear and conspicuous marking of the word ‘‘Estimated.’’
(3) The due date on or before which payment shall be made or the account will be delinquent.
(4) The amount due for service rendered during the current billing period, specifying the charge for basic service, the energy or fuel adjustment charge, State tax adjustment surcharge if other than zero, State sales tax if applicable and other similar charges. The bills should also indicate that a State gross receipts tax is being charged and a reasonable estimate of the charge. A Class A utility shall include a statement of the dollar amount of total State taxes included in the current billing period charge. For the purpose of this paragraph, a Class A utility shall also include a Class A telephone utility as defined under § 63.31 (relating to classification of public utilities).
(5) Amounts due for reconnection charges.
(6) Amounts due for security deposits.
(7) The total amount of payments and other credits made to the account during the current billing period.
(8) The amount of late payment charges, designated as such, which have accrued to the account of the customer for failure to pay bills by the due date of the bill and which are authorized under § 56.22 (relating to accrual of late payment charges).
(9) The total amount due.
(10) A clear and conspicuous marking of estimates.
(11) A statement directing the customer to ‘‘register any question or complaint about the bill prior to the due date,’’ with the address and telephone number where the customer may initiate the inquiry or complaint with the public utility.
(12) A statement that a rate schedule, an explanation of how to verify the accuracy of a bill and an explanation, in plain language of the various charges, if applicable, is available for inspection in the local business office of the public utility and on the public utility’s web site.
(13) A designation of the applicable rate schedule as denoted in the officially filed tariff of the public utility.
(14) Electric distribution utilities and natural gas distribution utilities shall incorporate the requirements in § § 54.4 and 62.74 (relating to bill format for residential and small business customers).
Authority The provisions of this § 56.15 amended under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 501, 1301, 1302, 1401—1419, 1504 and 1509.
Source The provisions of this § 56.15 adopted June 16, 1978, effective June 17, 1978, 8 Pa.B. 1655; amended January 8, 1988, effective January 9, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 185; amended October 7, 2011, effective October 8, 2011, 41 Pa.B. 5473. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (271616) and (276015).
Cross References This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 54.2 (relating to definitions); 52 Pa. Code § 54.4 (relating to bill format for residential and small business customers); 52 Pa. Code § 62.72 (relating to definitions); 52 Pa. Code § 62.74 (relating to bill format for residential and small business customers); and 52 Pa. Code § 69.251 (relating to plain language—statement of policy).
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