justicedao/ipfs_state_laws huggingface dataset:
860-021-0130 Meter Test (1) Any customer may ask the energy utility to test a meter. Such tests shall be made within 20 working days of the request at no cost to the customer. If a customer requests more than one meter test within any 12-month period, the energy utility may charge the customer to recover the reasonable cost of the test. The energy utility may not charge the customer if the meter is found to register outside the 2 percent accepted tolerance standard under normal operating conditions. (2) A customer and/or a designated representative shall have the right to be present at any meter test. The test shall be conducted at a mutually acceptable time during regular business hours. (3) A written report showing the customer’s name, the request date, the address where the meter has been installed, the meter’s number, the date tested, and the test result shall be supplied to the customer within a reasonable time after completing the test. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, 756 & 757 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040 & 757.255 History: PUC 16-2004, f. & cert. ef. 12-1-04 PUC 164, f. 4-18-74, ef. 5-11-74 (Order No. 74-307); PUC 5-1983, f. 5-31-83, ef. 6-1-83 (Order No. 83-284); Renumbered from 860-021-0025; PUC 13-1997, f. & cert. ef. 11-12-97; PUC 11-1998, f. & cert. ef. 5-7-98; PUC 16-2003, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-03
860-021-0170 Billing Error Reporting (1) As used in this rule, “billing error” means an error by an energy utility in the calculation of tariffed amounts billed to customers that: (a) Is due to a single, specific event, reason, or condition; (b) Resulted in the issuance of a corrected bill; and (c) Affected an estimated 0.5 percent or more of customer bills issued in any billing month by an average of $5.00 or more. (2) Within 10 business days of discovering a billing error, an energy utility must report the error via electronic mail to the Commission’s Consumer Services Section. (3) Within 60 calendar days from the date the billing error was first reported, an energy utility must file a final report via electronic mail with the Commission’s Consumer Services Section. The report must include the following information: (a) A description and cause, if known, of the billing error; (b) The number of bills affected by the billing error; (c) The number of bills adjusted due to the billing error; (d) The time period in which the billing error affected customer bills; (e) The actions taken to correct the error; and (f) The actions taken to prevent the same error from occurring in the future. (4) Within 60 calendar days following the end of each calendar year, an energy utility must file an annual report with the Commission’s filing center that summarizes all billing errors reported during the prior calendar year. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, 756 & 757 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040 & 757.020 History: PUC 1-2013, f. & cert. ef. 2-14-13
860-021-0180 Verification of Eligibility for Income-Qualified Residential Customers (1) A residential customer shall qualify as an eligible income-qualified residential customer for purposes of these Division 21 rules through the following methods: (a) The customer is a recipient of energy assistance within the past 12 months through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LI HEAP) or the Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP) or an energy assistance program offered by an energy utility; or (b) The customer is enrolled in any of the utility’s income-qualified energy assistance programs or qualifies to enroll in any program offered by a utility to residential customers based on differential energy burdens based on factors that affect affordability pursuant to ORS 757.230(1). (2) Except where a utility is authorized to verify or recertify an existing income-qualified residential customer's eligibility, an energy utility may allow a customer to self-certify as an eligible income-qualified residential customer based on income that is at or below 60 percent of the Oregon state median income. (3) An energy utility may require an income-qualified residential customer to verify or recertify eligibility as per section (1) of this rule on an annual basis if the customer is to remain an eligible income-qualified residential customer. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, ORS 756, ORS 757 & ORS 759 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 757.230 History: PUC 4-2025, amend filed 12/30/2025, effective 12/30/2025 PUC 10-2022, adopt filed 09/30/2022, effective 09/30/2022
860-021-0210 Interest on Deposits for Residential and Nonresidential Utility Service (1) Each year, the Commission shall establish an annual interest rate that must be paid on customer deposits. The Commission will base the rate upon consideration of the effective interest rate for new issues of one-year Treasury Bills issued during the last week of October, the interest rate on the most recent issuance of one-year Treasury Bills, or the effective interest rate for the average yield of Treasury Bills of the closest term issued during the last week of October. This interest rate, rounded to the nearest one-half of one percent, shall apply to deposits held during January 1 through December 31 of the subsequent year. The Commission will advise all energy and large telecommunications utilities of the changes in the rate to be paid on customer deposits held as needed. (2) Upon payment of a deposit, the energy or large telecommunications utility shall provide the customer documentation showing the date, name of the applicant or customer, the service address, the amount of deposit, a statement that the deposit will accrue interest at the rate prescribed by the Commission, and an explanation of the conditions under which the deposit will be refunded. (3) If the deposit is held beyond one year, accrued interest will be paid by a credit to the customer’s account. If held less than one year, interest will be prorated. An energy or large telecommunications utility shall keep a detailed record of each deposit received until the deposit is credited or refunded. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, 756, 757, 759 & Ch. 290 & OL 1987 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040 & Ch. 290 & OL 1987 History: PUC 16-2004, f. & cert. ef. 12-1-04 PUC 16-2003, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-03 PUC 16-2001, f. & cert. ef. 6-21-01 PUC 12-1997, f. & cert. ef. 10-30-97 PUC 16-1990, f. 9-28-90, cert. ef. 10-1-90 (Order No. 90-1105) PUC 3-1989, f. 2-6-89, cert. ef. 2-8-89 (Order No. 89-038) PUC 5-1983, f. 5-31-83, ef. 6-1-83 (Order No. 83-284)
860-021-0305 Grounds for Disconnecting Utility Service Utility service may be disconnected by an energy utility or large telecommunications utility: (1) When the applicant or customer fails to pay a deposit or make payments in accordance with the terms of a deposit payment arrangement; (2) When the applicant or customer provides false identification to establish service, continue service, or verify identity; (3) When the customer fails to pay Oregon tariffed or price-listed charges due for services rendered; (4) When the customer fails to abide by the terms of a time-payment agreement; (5) When the customer requests the utility to disconnect service or close an account or when a co-customer fails to reapply for service within 20 calendar days after a joint account is closed by the other co-customer, so long as the utility has provided a notice of pending disconnection; (6) When the customer does not cooperate in providing access to the meter; (7) When facilities provided are unsafe or do not comply with state and municipal codes governing service or the utility's rules and regulations; (8) When there is evidence of meter-tampering, diverting service, or other theft of service; (9) When dangerous or emergency conditions exist at the service premises under OAR 860-021-0315; (10) When a customer fails to disclose reasonably accurate customer load information which results in damage to utility equipment; or (11) When the Commission approves the disconnection of service. (12) An energy utility must make best efforts to perform service disconnections for nonpayment between the hours of 8:00 am and 2:00 pm to facilitate responsive, same-day reconnection of service. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, ORS 756, ORS 757, ORS 759 & OL 1987, Ch. 290 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040, ORS 757.035, ORS 757.225 & ORS 757.760 History: PUC 4-2025, amend filed 12/30/2025, effective 12/30/2025 PUC 10-2022, amend filed 09/30/2022, effective 09/30/2022 PUC 9-2009, f. & cert. ef. 8-25-09 PUC 6-1979, f. & ef. 10-6-79 (Order No. 79-680); PUC 5-1983, f. 5-31-83, ef. 6-1-83 (Order No. 83-284); Renumbered from 860-021-0075; PUC 8-1983, f. & ef. 8-15-83 (Order No. 83-502); PUC 3-1989, f. 2-6-89, cert. ef. 2-8-89 (Order No. 89-038); PUC 16-1990, f. 9-28-90, cert. ef. 10-1-90 (Order No. 90-1105); PUC 11-1995, f. & cert. ef. 11-27-95 (Order No. 95-1217); PUC 11-1998, f. & cert. ef. 5-7-98; PUC 16-2001, f. & cert. ef. 6-21-01
860-021-0310 Voluntary Disconnection of Utility Service Every customer who is about to vacate any premises supplied with service by the energy or large telecommunications utility, or who for any reason wishes to have such service discontinued, shall give five days’ notice in advance of specified date of discontinuance of service to the utility. Until the energy or large telecommunications utility shall have such notice, the customer shall be held responsible for all service rendered. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, 756, 757 & 759 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040 History: PUC 16-2001, f. & cert. ef. 6-21-01 PUC 164, f. 4-18-74, ef. 5-11-74 (Order No. 74-307); PUC 6-1979, f. & ef. 10-6-79 (Order No. 79-680); PUC 5-1983, f. 5-31-83, ef. 6-1-83 (Order No. 83-284); Renumbered from 860-021-0065
860-021-0315 Emergency Disconnection of Utility Service In emergencies endangering life or property, an energy or large telecommunications utility may terminate service without following the procedures in division 021. However, the energy or large telecommunications utility shall immediately thereafter notify the Commission. In such cases, when the necessity for emergency termination was through no fault of the customer, the utility will not make a charge to restore service. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, 756, 757 & 759 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040 & 757.035 History: PUC 16-2001, f. & cert. ef. 6-21-01 PUC 6-1979, f. & ef. 10-6-79 (Order No. 79-680); PUC 5-1983, f. 5-31-83; ef. 6-1-83 (Order No. 83-284); Renumbered from 860-021-0068; PUC 8-1983, f. & ef. 8-15-83 (Order No. 83-502); PUC 2-1993, f. & cert. ef. 1-8-93 (Order No. 92-1793 & 93-035); PUC 11-1998, f. & cert. ef. 5-7-98
860-021-0320 Disconnection of Service on Weekends and Holidays Utility service shall not be disconnected for nonpayment on a weekend or a state- or utility-recognized holiday. Utility service shall not be disconnected for nonpayment on a Friday or the day before a state- or utility-recognized holiday unless mutually agreed upon by the customer, utility, and the Commission’s Consumer Services Section. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, ORS 756, ORS 757 & ORS 759 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040 & ORS 757.760 History: PUC 10-2022, amend filed 09/30/2022, effective 09/30/2022 PUC 11-1995, f. & cert. ef. 11-27-95 (Order No. 95-1217) PUC 5-1983, f. 5-31-83, ef. 6-1-83 (Order No. 83-284)
860-021-0325 Accounts Not Related to Residential Utility Service An energy or large telecommunications utility may not deny or disconnect residential service due to the failure to pay for nonresidential service or to meet obligations in connection with nonresidential service. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, 756, 757 & 759 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040 History: PUC 16-2001, f. & cert. ef. 6-21-01 PUC 11-1998, f. & cert. ef. 5-7-98 PUC 5-1983, f. 5-31-83, ef. 6-1-83 (Order No. 83-284)
860-021-0326 Disconnection of Gas or Electric Service to Tenants (1) When an energy utility’s records show that a residential billing address is different from the service address, and the utility has reason to believe that the service address is not occupied by the customer or co-customer, the utility must provide a five-day disconnect notice to the occupants of the premises in the manner described in OAR 860-021-0405(6). The five-day disconnect notice must be addressed to "tenant" or "occupant" and must include a statement regarding the impending disconnection of utility service, the earliest date for disconnection and an explanation of the Commission's complaint process and toll-free number. The notice to occupants need not include the dollar amount owing or the reason for disconnection. (2) When an energy utility’s records show that a residence is a master-metered multi-family dwelling (including rooming houses), the utility must notify the Commission’s Consumer Services Section at least five business days before disconnecting the service. The utility will use reasonable efforts to notify occupants of the impending disconnection and alternatives available to them. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, ORS 756, ORS 757 & OL 1987, Ch. 290 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040, ORS 757.760 & OL 1987, Ch. 290 History: PUC 10-2022, amend filed 09/30/2022, effective 09/30/2022 PUC 7-2005, f. & cert. ef. 11-30-05 PUC 11-1998, f. & cert. ef. 5-7-98 PUC 13-1997, f. & cert. ef. 11-12-97 PUC 11-1995, f. & cert. ef. 11-27-95 (Order No. 95-1217) PUC 16-1990, f. 9-28-90, cert. ef. 10-1-90 (Order No. 90-1105)
860-021-0330 Reconnection Fee for Utility Service (1) When a utility service is disconnected pursuant to OAR 860-021-0305, the energy or large telecommunications utility may charge the reconnection fee in its tariff, except when: (a) The utility is able to remotely reconnect the residential customer's service; (b) The residential customer participates in the utility’s income-qualified bill discount program; or (c) The residential customer has on file with the utility a medical certificate pursuant to OAR 860-021-0410. (2) Sections (1)(a), (b) and (c) above do not apply to After Hours Reconnect as described in OAR 860-021-0328(7)(b). (3) An energy utility may not require a customer participating in the utility's income-qualified bill discount program or a customer with a medical certificate on file with the utility to pay any outstanding balance or reconnection fee as a prerequisite for a reconnection that is requested pursuant to OAR 860-021-0406 or OAR 860-021-0407. (4) The utility must restore service upon request. Any outstanding balance, reconnection fee, or portion thereof remains the responsibility of the customer and may be included in subsequent bills until paid in full. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, ORS 756, ORS 757 & ORS 759 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040 & ORS 757.225 History: PUC 4-2025, amend filed 12/30/2025, effective 12/30/2025 PUC 2-2025, temporary amend filed 05/28/2025, effective 05/28/2025 through 10/24/2025 PUC 9-2024, temporary amend filed 12/18/2024, effective 12/18/2024 through 05/18/2025 PUC 10-2022, amend filed 09/30/2022, effective 09/30/2022 PUC 16-2001, f. & cert. ef. 6-21-01 PUC 11-1998, f. & cert. ef. 5-7-98 PUC 16-1990, f. 9-28-90, cert. ef. 10-1-90 (Order No. 90-1105) PUC 5-1983, f. 5-31-83, ef. 6-1-83 (Order No. 83-284)
860-021-0334 Transfer Billings (1) If an energy or large telecommunications utility identifies a balance a customer owes the utility from the customer’s prior account for Oregon service, the utility may transfer the amount to the customer’s current account after giving the customer notice of the transfer, the amount due under the prior account, the period when the balance was incurred, and the service address or telephone number under which the bill was incurred; or the utility may send a separate notice to the customer giving the same information that would be included in the transfer, but collecting the amount due separately from the customer’s current account. If the bill is identified when a customer changes residences, the provisions of this rule apply. An energy or large telecommunications utility may pursue disconnection for nonpayment of a customer’s current utility service only in compliance with OAR 860-021-0405 or 860-021-0505. (2) If the customer has six months or more remaining on a time-payment agreement, the installment amount will be adjusted to bring the account into balance within the time specified in the original agreement. If the customer has less than six months remaining on a time-payment agreement, the energy or large telecommunications utility will recalculate the agreement to bring the account into balance within 12 months. The customer must pay any past due time-payment installments before the energy or large telecommunications utility adjusts or recalculates the agreement. Energy and large telecommunications utilities may make more liberal payment arrangements for customers on medical certificates who cannot reasonably be expected to pay the outstanding balance in the time otherwise applicable under this rule. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183 & 756 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040 & 757.225 History: PUC 16-2001, f. & cert. ef. 6-21-01 PUC 4-1999, f. & cert. ef. 8-12-99 PUC 11-1998, f. & cert. ef. 5-7-98 PUC 11-1995, f. & cert. ef. 11-27-95 (Order No. 95-1217) PUC 16-1990, f. 9-28-90, cert. ef. 10-1-90 (Order No. 90-1105)
860-021-0406 Wildfire Displacement Protection (1) An electric or natural gas utility must make best efforts to put into effect a moratorium on the disconnection of utility service for nonpayment for residential and commercial customers affected by a level 2 or 3 wildfire evacuation notice or order issued by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. The moratorium will begin when the evacuation notice or order is issued and remain in effect until: (a) The day after the evacuation notice or order is lifted for commercial customers; and (b) Two days after the evacuation notice or order is lifted for residential customers. (2) After a level 2 or 3 evacuation notice or order is lifted, an electric or natural gas utility must make best efforts to reconnect, upon request and subject to reconnection fees allowed under OAR 860-021-0330, a residential or commercial customer who has been disconnected for nonpayment within the previous seven calendar days of a level 2 or 3 wildfire evacuation notice or order. The request for reconnection must be made within seven calendar days after the evacuation notice or order is lifted. (3) The electric or natural gas utility must make best efforts to have information available on its website concerning wildfire displacement protections; and when practical, information from the utility that includes energy utility contact information should be available at local emergency command centers, local community-based organizations, and local media. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, ORS 756 & ORS 757 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040 & ORS 757.760 History: PUC 4-2025, amend filed 12/30/2025, effective 12/30/2025 PUC 10-2022, adopt filed 09/30/2022, effective 09/30/2022
860-021-0407 Severe Weather Moratorium on Involuntary Disconnection of Residential and Small Commercial Electric or Gas Utility Service for Nonpayment (1) An electric or natural gas utility must put into effect a moratorium on the involuntary disconnection of utility service for nonpayment for customers located within the geographic area affected by severe weather events as follows: (a) For a severe air quality event defined in OAR 860-021-0008(11), an electric or natural gas utility may not disconnect residential or commercial service starting when severe air quality conditions are present based on forecasted data obtained no later than 8:00 a.m. each business day. (b) For an extreme heat event defined in OAR 860-021-0008(12), an electric utility may not disconnect residential service starting 24 hours before the event is forecasted to occur. (c) For a severe off-season cold event defined in OAR 860-021-0008(13), an electric or natural gas utility may not disconnect residential service for nonpayment starting when the event is forecasted to occur. (d) For a severe on-season cold event defined in OAR 860-021-0008(14), an electric or natural gas utility may not disconnect residential service for nonpayment starting 24 hours before the event is forecasted to occur. (2) When a severe on-season cold event or extreme heat event is forecast with less than 24 hours' notice, the utility must make best efforts to immediately suspend disconnections for nonpayment upon the posting of the alert. (3) A disconnection moratorium required for a severe weather event will remain in effect for 48 hours after the qualifying event concludes for all residential customers. (4) Each electric and natural gas utility must keep the Commission's Consumer Services Section informed of which weather reporting and air quality service it is using for each geographic area within its service territory to comply with the requirements of this rule. (5) An electric or natural gas utility must make best efforts to, upon request made within seven calendar days after the severe weather event ends and subject to reconnection fees allowed under OAR 860-021-0330, reconnect the following customers subject to a moratorium required by a severe weather event: (a) Residential customers who had been disconnected for nonpayment within the previous seven days of a severe weather moratorium. (b) Small commercial customers that had been disconnected for nonpayment within the previous 72 hours of a severe air quality event. (6) Nothing in this rule prohibits an electric or natural gas utility from providing customer protections that exceed the baseline standards set forth above through a winter protection program or other tariff provisions. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 756.060 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040 History: PUC 4-2025, amend filed 12/30/2025, effective 12/30/2025 PUC 2-2025, temporary amend filed 05/28/2025, effective 05/28/2025 through 10/24/2025 PUC 9-2024, temporary amend filed 12/18/2024, effective 12/18/2024 through 05/18/2025 PUC 10-2022, amend filed 09/30/2022, effective 09/30/2022 PUC 4-2017, f. & cert. ef. 5-30-17
860-021-0414 Equal-Payment Plans for Residential and Small Commercial Electric and Gas Service Electric companies and gas utilities will make equal-payment plans available to residential and small commercial customers. A customer with no outstanding balance who agrees to remain on an equal-payment plan for 12 months may enter into equal-payment agreement at any time during the year. The plan will provide for an annual adjustment between the estimated charge and the actual charges. If a customer changes residences or place of business during the term of the agreement, the payments may be adjusted to reflect the anticipated change in usage. Nothing in this rule is intended to restrict a utility’s right to adopt additional payment options. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183 & ORS 756 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040, ORS 757.750 & ORS 757.760 History: PUC 10-2022, amend filed 09/30/2022, effective 09/30/2022 PUC 7-2005, f. & cert. ef. 11-30-05 PUC 16-1990, f. 9-28-90, cert. ef. 10-1-90 (Order No. 90-1105)
860-021-0420 Field Visit Charge A Commission approved fee may be charged whenever an energy utility visits a residential service address intending to reconnect or disconnect service, but due to customer action, the energy utility is unable to complete the reconnection or disconnection at the time of the visit. An energy utility shall waive the first field visit charge within a 12-month window to income-qualified residential customers. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, ORS 756 & ORS 757 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040 & ORS 757.225 History: PUC 4-2025, amend filed 12/30/2025, effective 12/30/2025 PUC 10-2022, amend filed 09/30/2022, effective 09/30/2022 PUC 7-2005, f. & cert. ef. 11-30-05 PUC 16-2004, f. & cert. ef. 12-1-04 PUC 16-2003, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-03 PUC 11-1998, f. & cert. ef. 5-7-98 PUC 16-1990, f. 9-28-90, cert. ef. 10-1-90 (Order No. 90-1105) PUC 12-1983, f. & ef. 10-7-83 (Order No. 83-623) PUC 5-1983, f. 5-31-83, ef. 6-1-83 (Order No. 83-284)