reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 3 - DEPOSITS AND GUARANTEE TERMS AND CONDITIONS › Section R. 460.108 - Prohibited practices

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 8. A utility shall not require a deposit or other
					 guarantee as a condition of new or continued utility service based upon any of
					 the following:
(a) Consumer credit
				  score, if the customer or applicant has prior utility service credit history
				  with any electric or gas utility during the previous 6 years.
(b) Income.
(c) Home ownership.
(d) Residence location.
(e) Race.
(f) Color.
(g) Creed.
(h) Sex.
(i) Age.
(j) National origin.
(k) Marital status.
(l) Familial status.
(m) Disability.
(n) Any other criteria not authorized by
				  these rules.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 3 - DEPOSITS AND GUARANTEE TERMS AND CONDITIONS › Section R. 460.109 - Deposit for residential customer

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 9.
(1) A
				  utility may require a deposit as a condition of providing, restoring, or
				  continuing residential service to an applicant or customer if any of the
				  following provisions apply:
(a) At the time of
				  the request for service, the applicant or customer has an unpaid balance for
				  electric or natural gas service that accrued within the last 6 years and that
				  remains unpaid and is not in dispute.
(b) The applicant or customer misrepresents
				  his or her identity or credit standing.
(c) The applicant or customer fails to
				  provide positive identification information upon request at the time of
				  applying for new service.
(d) The
				  applicant or customer requests service for a location at which he or she does
				  not reside.
(e) The applicant or
				  customer engaged in unauthorized use of utility service within the last 6
				  years, if the finding of unauthorized use of utility service was made after
				  notice and an opportunity for a hearing and is not in dispute.
(f) The utility has had 1 or more checks
				  issued from the customer's account returned from a financial institution for
				  insufficient funds or no account or has had 1 or more payments from the
				  customer's debit or credit card or other form of payment denied within the last
				  12 months, excluding financial institution error.
(g) The customer or applicant has sought
				  relief under federal bankruptcy laws within the last 6 years.
(h) Within the past 3 years, the customer or
				  applicant lived in a residence with a person under all of the following
				  circumstances:
(i) The person accrued a
				  delinquent account for electric or natural gas service to the shared residence
				  during the time the customer or applicant lived there.
(ii) The delinquent account remains unpaid
				  and is not in dispute.
(iii) The
				  person with the delinquent account now resides with the applicant.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 3 - DEPOSITS AND GUARANTEE TERMS AND CONDITIONS › Section R. 460.111 - General deposit conditions for residential customers

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 11.
(1) All
				  of the following apply to payment of deposits for residential service:
(a) For a primary residence, a deposit that
				  is required under these rules due to a prior outstanding account that is not in
				  dispute or a shutoff for nonpayment shall not be more than twice the average
				  monthly bill for the premises or, if the current customer's consumption history
				  for the premises is unavailable, twice the utility's system average monthly
				  bill for residential service.
(b)
				  For seasonal properties, a deposit that is required under these rules due to a
				  prior outstanding account that is not in dispute or a shutoff for nonpayment
				  shall not be more than twice the average monthly bill for peak season
				  usage.
(c) A utility shall offer an
				  eligible low-income customer the option of paying a deposit required under
				  these rules in 2 monthly installments.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 3 - DEPOSITS AND GUARANTEE TERMS AND CONDITIONS › Section R. 460.111a - General deposit conditions for nonresidential customers

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 11a.
(1) A
				  utility may require a deposit from a customer or applicant as a condition of
				  receiving or continuing nonresidential service if 1 of the following conditions
				  applies:
(a) The customer or applicant has an
				  unfavorable credit rating with a credit reporting agency.
(b) The customer or applicant has an unpaid
				  delinquent bill for natural gas or electric service.
(c) The customer or applicant has engaged in
				  unauthorized use of utility service within the last 6 years.
(d) Two or more shutoff notices have been
				  issued within the most recent 12-month period.
(e) Service has been discontinued for
				  nonpayment.
(f) An unsatisfactory
				  record of bill payment within the first 6 months after service commenced
				  exists.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 3 - DEPOSITS AND GUARANTEE TERMS AND CONDITIONS › Section R. 460.112 - Guarantee terms and conditions for residential customers

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 12.
(1) A
				  guarantee for residential service that is accepted in accordance with these
				  rules shall be in writing and shall be in effect for not more than 36 months.
				  The written guarantee shall state all of the terms of the guarantee and the
				  maximum amount guaranteed. The utility shall not hold the guarantor liable for
				  a greater amount, unless agreed to in a separate written guarantee.
(2) Notwithstanding the stated term of the
				  guarantee, if longer than 12 months, the customer's credit shall be established
				  and the utility shall release the guarantor upon satisfactory payment by the
				  customer of all proper charges for residential service for a period of 12
				  consecutive months, unless the guarantee was required due to unauthorized use
				  of utility service.
(3) A utility
				  may require a guarantee for residential service because of unauthorized use of
				  utility service for 36 months.
(4)
				  For purposes of this rule, payment is satisfactory if it is made before the
				  issuance of a notice of shutoff of service for nonpayment that is not in
				  dispute or within 5 days after the issuance of the next succeeding monthly
				  bill, whichever is sooner.
(5) A
				  utility may withhold the release of a guarantor pending the resolution of a
				  shutoff for nonpayment that is in dispute in accordance with these
				  rules.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 4 - METER READING PROCEDURES, METER ACCURACY, METER ERRORS AND METER RELOCATION › Section R. 460.113 - Actual and estimated meter reading

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 13.
(1)
				  Except as specified in these rules, a utility shall provide all customers with
				  an actual meter reading each billing month.
(2) A utility shall outline in its tariff a
				  process that addresses missing or invalid usage data affecting the amount
				  billed to a customer and that ensures the amount billed during the billing
				  period is appropriate.
(3) A
				  utility may estimate a meter reading under any of the following circumstances:
(a) An actual meter reading cannot be
				  obtained by any reasonable or applicable method described in
				  R
				  460.102.
(b) An automated or remote meter reading
				  device is not functioning and customer usage data cannot be
				  retrieved.
(c) A utility meter
				  reader does not have access to the meter.
(d) There is a condition at the meter
				  location that puts the meter reader's safety at risk.
(e) The utility bills the customer seasonally
				  in accordance with its commission-approved tariffs.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 4 - METER READING PROCEDURES, METER ACCURACY, METER ERRORS AND METER RELOCATION › Section R. 460.114 - Customer meter reading

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 14. A utility shall provide residential and small
					 nonresidential customers with the opportunity to read and report energy usage
					 provided that the customer accurately reports energy usage on a regular basis.
					 A utility shall provide postage-paid, pre-addressed postcards for this purpose
					 upon request, or the utility may permit customers to report meter readings on a
					 secure company website, by telephone, or other reasonable means. At least once
					 every 12 months, a utility shall obtain an actual meter reading of energy usage
					 to verify the accuracy of readings reported in this manner. Notwithstanding the
					 provisions of this rule, a utility company representative may read meters on a
					 regular basis.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 4 - METER READING PROCEDURES, METER ACCURACY, METER ERRORS AND METER RELOCATION › Section R. 460.115 - Meter accuracy and errors for electric and gas customers

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 15.
(1) Meters
				  with actual meter readings that are rejected by the utility billing system for
				  2 consecutive months because they are outside the expected range of the
				  customer's usage for the premises shall be reviewed by a billing specialist,
				  investigated, and, if necessary, the utility shall repair or replace the
				  meter.
(2) A utility shall
				  calculate the period and amount of inaccuracy of electric meters pursuant to
				  R 460.3101 to
				  R 460.3804. A utility shall
				  calculate the period and amount of inaccuracy of gas meters pursuant to
				  R 460.2302 to
				  R 460.2384.
(3) If a utility finds that an electric or
				  gas meter has an average meter accuracy less than 98% or more than 102%, an
				  adjustment for bills for the inaccuracy may be made in the case of under
				  registration and must be made in the case of over registration.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of any
				  other rule, except in the case of unauthorized use of utility service, back
				  billing of customers or refunds to customers for meter errors is limited to the
				  12-month period immediately preceding discovery of the error. The customer
				  shall be given a reasonable time in which to pay the amount of the back
				  billing, after consideration of the amount of the back bill and the duration of
				  the inaccuracy, and service shall not be shut off during this time for
				  nonpayment of the amount of the back billing if the customer is complying with
				  the repayment agreement.
(5) If the
				  amount due the utility is more than $5.00, the utility may bill the customer
				  for the amount due. The utility shall offer the customer reasonable payment
				  arrangements for the amount due. The bill for the undercharge may not include
				  interest.
(6) If the amount of the
				  refund due an existing or previous customer as the result of meter over
				  registration is less than $5.00, a refund is not required to be made. Paid
				  overcharges must be credited to the existing customer or paid to a previous
				  customer with 5% interest, commencing on the sixtieth day following
				  payment.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 4 - METER READING PROCEDURES, METER ACCURACY, METER ERRORS AND METER RELOCATION › Section R. 460.115a - Meter accuracy and errors for electric customers only

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 15a.
(1) An
				  adjustment of bills for service for the period of inaccuracy must be made for
				  over registration and may be made for under registration pursuant to any of the
				  following conditions:
(a) A mechanical meter
				  creeps.
(b) A metering installation
				  is found upon any test to have an average inaccuracy of more than 2%.
(c) A meter registration has been found to be
				  inaccurate due to apparent tampering by a person or persons known or
				  unknown.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 4 - METER READING PROCEDURES, METER ACCURACY, METER ERRORS AND METER RELOCATION › Section R. 460.116 - Meter relocation

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 16.
(1) A
				  utility may assess a meter relocation charge in any of the following
				  situations:
(a) The utility shut off service
				  by disconnection at the street or pole because the utility could not obtain
				  access to the meter or utility facilities.
(b) The customer, its authorized agent, or
				  another responsible adult refused to permit the utility access to the meter on
				  2 separate occasions, or on a single occasion if harm is threatened, and the
				  utility can produce documentation of requests for access and/or requests for
				  the customer to perform a meter reading that were refused.
(c) The utility shut off service due to
				  unauthorized use of utility service or the customer acknowledges personal
				  responsibility and the utility bills the customer for unauthorized use of
				  utility service.
(d) The customer
				  requests that the utility relocate the meter or other utility
				  facilities.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 5 - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › Section R. 460.117 - Bill information

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 17.
(1)
				  Except for prepaid service, the utility shall bill each customer promptly after
				  reading the meter. The bill shall state clearly all of the following
				  information:
(a) The beginning and ending
				  actual meter readings and dates for the billing period.
(b) The units of energy consumed during the
				  billing period and the units of energy consumed during the comparable period
				  the prior year. Upon customer request, the utility shall provide
				  weather-adjusted consumption data to the customer or to a third party
				  designated by the customer.
(c) A
				  designation of the rate.
(d) The
				  due date.
(e) Any previous
				  balance.
(f) The amount due for
				  energy usage.
(g) The amount due
				  for other authorized charges.
(h)
				  The amount of tax.
(i) The total
				  amount due.
(j) The applicable rate
				  schedules, the explanation of rate schedules, and the explanation of how to
				  verify the accuracy of the bill will be provided by the company upon
				  request.
(k) That the customer
				  should contact the company regarding an inquiry or complaint about the bill
				  before the due date.
(l) The
				  address and telephone number of the utility at which the customer may initiate
				  any inquiry or complaint regarding the bill or the service provided by the
				  utility.
(m) That the utility is
				  regulated by the commission.
(n)
				  For nonresidential customers, the bills shall contain all of the following:
(i) The date by which the customer must pay
				  the bill to benefit from any discount or to avoid any penalty.
(ii) Any conversions from meter reading units
				  to billing units, any calculations to determine billing units from recording or
				  other devices, or any other factors, such as power supply cost recovery
				  adjustments, used in determining the bill. A statement may appear on the bill
				  advising the customer that the information can be obtained by contacting the
				  utility. Any multiplier used to determine billing units shall be shown when
				  used.
(iii) If the billing period
				  differs from the meter reading cycle and the reading data is calculated from
				  actual metered data, then the actual meter reading shall be shown on the
				  bill.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 5 - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › Section R. 460.118 - Electronic billing requirements

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 18. Any utility wishing to issue billing statements
					 electronically shall comply with all of the following requirements:
(a) A customer shall not be required to use
				  electronic billing.
(b) No
				  enrollment or usage fees shall be assessed to a customer who chooses to receive
				  bills or customer information electronically.
(c) The electronic billing statement shall
				  include, at minimum, all information listed in
				  R
				  460.117.
(d) The company shall maintain a secure and
				  encrypted site to be accessed by the customer after completing a secure
				  registration process.
(e) The
				  utility may require that the customer use a password or security question to
				  access the electronic billing system. The company shall not require the
				  customer to use his or her social security number to enroll in or access the
				  billing system.
(f) Any fees to
				  accept electronic payments shall be clearly displayed in the payment
				  window.
(g) Any payment made
				  electronically shall be treated as a payment to the company business
				  office.
(h) Use of the electronic
				  system shall not restrict the customer in using other payment methods. All
				  other payment methods shall continue to be available to the customer.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 5 - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › Section R. 460.119 - Separate bill; consolidation and balance transfers for residential and small nonresidential customers

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 19.
(1) A
				  utility shall transmit a separate bill pursuant to
				  R
				  460.117 for service to residential and small
				  nonresidential customers provided at each service location.
(2) A utility may consolidate 2 or more
				  active accounts with the documented authorization of the residential or small
				  nonresidential customer.
(3)
				  Notwithstanding the provisions of subrule (1) of this rule, if there is a
				  shutoff or termination of service at a separate metering point, residence, or
				  other location pursuant to these rules, then a utility may transfer an unpaid
				  balance to any other account of the customer if either of the following
				  requirements are met:
(a) Unpaid balances
				  from residential accounts are only transferred to another residential service
				  account of that customer.
(b)
				  Unpaid balances from any nonresidential account are only transferred to another
				  nonresidential account of that customer.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 5 - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › Section R. 460.120 - Billing frequency; method of delivery

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 20.
(1) A
				  utility shall send a bill each billing month to its customers pursuant to the
				  approved rate schedules unless the utility and the customer agree to another
				  billing interval or the commission approves an alternative billing frequency
				  method. A utility shall send a bill to customers by mail unless the utility and
				  the customer agree to another method of delivery.
(2) A utility that is authorized to bill
				  customers seasonally or use a customer-read system shall send a bill pursuant
				  to the tariffs approved by the commission.
(3) A bill shall be mailed, transmitted, or
				  delivered to the customer not less than 21 days before the due date. Failure to
				  receive a bill properly mailed, transmitted, or delivered by the utility does
				  not extend the due date.
(4) A
				  customer may designate a third party to receive bills, shutoff notices, or
				  other communications from the utility on the customer's behalf if the customer
				  submits a document signed by the customer and the designated third party to the
				  utility. The receipt of bills by a third party does not make that party
				  responsible for the bills unless the third-party recipient is a guarantor under
				  R 460.112.
(5) Customers who use electronic billing and
				  payment shall have the same rights and responsibilities as customers who use
				  paper bills and payment by United States mail.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 5 - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › Section R. 460.121 - Equal monthly billing

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 21. Upon a residential customers request, a utility
					 shall bill a residential customer with a satisfactory payment history under an
					 equal monthly billing program, if the commission finds that the billing program
					 assures reasonable billing accuracy. If a residential customer has a credit
					 balance of more than $10.00 at the end of the program year, upon the request of
					 the customer, the utility shall either return the credit balance or credit it
					 to the next month's bill. If the balance is less than $10.00, the utility shall
					 credit the amount to the residential customer's account.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 5 - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › Section R. 460.122 - Cycle billing

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 22. A utility may use cycle billing if a customer
					 receives a bill on or about the same day of each billing month. If a utility
					 changes meter reading routes or schedules by more than 7 days, it shall provide
					 notice to affected customers at least 10 days before making the
					 change.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 5 - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › Section R. 460.123 - Payment of bill

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 23.
(1) A
				  utility shall permit each customer a period of not less than 21 days from the
				  date the bill was sent to pay in full, unless the customer and the utility
				  agree on a different due date. A utility shall not withdraw funds from a
				  customers account before the due date in cases where a customer uses an
				  automatic bill payment plan unless the customer agrees to a different
				  period.
(2) Except as otherwise
				  provided in subrule (3) of this rule, a utility shall not attempt to recover
				  from a customer any outstanding bills or other charges due upon the account of
				  any other person, unless that customer has entered into a lawful guarantee
				  under
				  R 460.112, or another lawful
				  agreement to pay those bills and charges.
(3) To avoid shut off of residential service
				  pursuant to
				  R
				  460.137(2)(b), when an occupant has
				  lived with a residential customer within the last 3 years, currently resides
				  with the customer, and the customer has a delinquent account that remains
				  unpaid, is not in dispute, and accrued during shared residency, both are
				  equally responsible for the unpaid bill. The utility shall advise the customer
				  and occupant of the process by which the customer may refute this claim unless
				  that customer has entered into a guarantee under
				  R 460.112, or another agreement to
				  pay those bills and charges.
(4)
				  The customer has the right to pay any delinquent account at any time prior to
				  the shut off of service date to preserve uninterrupted service. After proper
				  notice of shut off under
				  R
				  460.139 and
				  R
				  460.140 has been provided, it shall be the customer's
				  responsibility to contact the utility and arrange payment before
				  disconnection.
(5) The utility may
				  authorize an agent to accept payments on behalf of the utility. The authorized
				  agent shall accept payment and provide payment verification, without request,
				  that may be used by the customer to verify payment with the utility. The
				  payment verification shall clearly state all of the following:
(a) That the payment may not be credited to
				  the customer's account for up to 2 business days.
(b) Any charges or fees for use of the
				  authorized agent services.
(c) That
				  to avoid shutoff, the customer must contact the utility with verification of
				  payment made to an authorized agent.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 5 - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › Section R. 460.124 - Payment period

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 24.
(1) The
				  date a bill is sent is the date the utility transmits the billing information
				  to the customer. If the last day for payment falls on a day when the mail is
				  not delivered, or other day when the utility offices that accept customer
				  payments are not open to the general public, the payment date shall be extended
				  through the next business day. Customer remittances postmarked on the due date
				  shall be considered to have been timely paid. If the postmark is illegible, the
				  date of mailing shall be designated as 2 days before receipt by the
				  utility.
(2) If a customer fails to
				  make full payment by the due date, the utility may implement its collection
				  practices, including the use of automated telephone calls which remind the
				  customer or a third party that the bill is past due. Neither the utility nor
				  its agents shall make more than 1 call per day to a specific customer or third
				  party in which contact is made with the customer or third party.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 5 - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › Section R. 460.125 - Late payment charges

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 25.
(1)
				  Except as otherwise provided by statute, a utility shall bill each residential
				  customer for the amount of natural gas or electricity consumed and any other
				  approved charges pursuant to the rates and tariffs approved by the
				  commission.
(2) A utility may
				  assess residential customers a late payment charge that is not more than 2%,
				  not compounded, of the portion of the bill, net of taxes, that is delinquent. A
				  utility shall not assess a late-payment charge against a residential customer
				  whose payments are made by the department of health and human services or who
				  is participating in a shutoff protection program described in Part 9 of these
				  rules,
				  R
				  460.145 to
				  R 460.153.
(3) A utility may not charge residential
				  customers a late payment fee for failure to pay an estimated bill by the due
				  date unless the customer is subsequently delinquent on a bill using an actual
				  meter reading. This rule shall not apply if the bill is estimated because the
				  utility was unable to gain access to the meter, the utility's lack of access is
				  documented, and the customer refused to provide an actual meter
				  reading.
(4) For nonresidential
				  customers, unless the utilitys tariff states otherwise, a late payment charge
				  of not more than 2%, not compounded, may be applied to the unpaid balance
				  outstanding, net of taxes, if the bill is not paid in full on or before the
				  date on which the bill is due.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 5 - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › Section R. 460.126 - Billing for unregulated non-energy services

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 26. A utility may include charges for unregulated
					 non-energy services, such as appliance repair or appliance protection programs,
					 together with charges for natural gas and electric service on the same monthly
					 bill if the charges for the unregulated non-energy services are designated
					 clearly and separately from the charges for the natural gas or electric service
					 and it is noted that it is an unregulated service. Failure to pay for
					 unregulated non-energy service charges may result in the termination of that
					 service but not the shut off of the natural gas or electric service. If partial
					 payment is made, the utility shall first credit payment to the balance
					 outstanding for natural gas or electric service pursuant to the provisions of
					 R
					 460.123(7) and
					 R
					 460.123(8) where
					 applicable.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 5 - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › Section R. 460.126a - Billing error

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 26a.
(1) If a
				  utility overcharges a customer due to a billing error, then the utility shall
				  refund or credit the amount of the paid overcharge to the customer. Paid
				  overcharges shall be credited to a customer with 5% APR interest, commencing on
				  the sixtieth day following payment. A utility is not required to adjust,
				  refund, or credit an overcharge plus 5% APR interest for more than the 3 years
				  immediately preceding discovery of the billing error, unless the customer is
				  able to establish an earlier date for commencement of the error.
(2) Upon customer request, paid overcharges
				  for billing errors greater than $10.00 shall be refunded within 30 days of the
				  request.
(3) If a utility
				  undercharges a customer, in cases that do not involve unauthorized use of
				  utility service, the utility may back bill the customer for the amount of the
				  undercharge during the 12-month period immediately preceding discovery of the
				  error, and the utility shall offer the customer reasonable payment arrangements
				  for the amount of the back bill, which shall allow the customer to make
				  installment payments over a period at least as long as the period of the
				  undercharge. The utility shall take into account the customers financial
				  circumstances when setting payment amounts.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 5 - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › Section R. 460.126b - Responsibility for unauthorized use of utility service

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 26b.
(1) In
				  cases that involve unauthorized use of utility service, the utility may back
				  bill the customer for the service used. The back bill for service used may
				  include 5% interest.
(2) The
				  utility may charge fees for unauthorized use of utility service in accordance
				  with commission-approved tariffs.
(3) If a utility shuts off service for
				  unauthorized use of utility service, the utility may bill a customer for all of
				  the following:
(a) The cost of investigating
				  the unauthorized use.
(b) The cost
				  of relocating the meter.
(c) The
				  cost of any damages that have been caused to utility-owned equipment.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 6 - VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF SERVICE › Section R. 460.127 - Voluntary termination

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 27.
(1)
				  Subject to the provisions of these rules, a utility customer or authorized
				  representative shall do all of the following:
(a) Notify the utility in person, or by
				  telephone, in writing, by fax or on the internet at least 10 business days
				  prior to requested service termination.
(b) Allow safe access to the utility, if
				  necessary, to perform a final meter read.
(c) Provide an address for final billing at
				  the time of request for a final read.
(d) Notify the utility if an existing
				  occupant continues to occupy the premises.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 7 - ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SHUTOFF PROTECTION PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS › Section R. 460.128 - Listing of energy assistance programs for residential customers

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 28. The commission shall annually provide a listing of
					 all federal and state energy assistance programs and the eligibility
					 requirements of each program to all utilities.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 7 - ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SHUTOFF PROTECTION PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS › Section R. 460.129 - Notice of energy assistance programs for residential customers

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 29.
(1) A
				  utility shall annually inform each residential customer of all of the following
				  information:
(a) The federal and state energy
				  assistance programs that are available and the eligibility requirements of the
				  programs, as provided to the utility by the commission.
(b) The medical emergency provisions of
				  R
				  460.130.
(c) The critical care customer provisions of
				  R 460.130a.
(d) The shutoff
				  protection programs described in
				  R 460.131 and
				  R 460.132.
(e) The military shutoff protections of
				  R
				  460.133.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 7 - ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SHUTOFF PROTECTION PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS › Section R. 460.130 - Medical emergency

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 30.
(1) A
				  utility shall restore service or postpone shut off of service for not more than
				  21 days if the customer or a member of the customer's household has a medical
				  emergency. The customer shall provide the utility with a commission-approved
				  medical certification form that identifies all of the following:
(a) The medical condition.
(b) Any medical equipment needed for the
				  medical emergency.
(c) The specific
				  time period during which the shut off of service will aggravate the medical
				  emergency.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 7 - ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SHUTOFF PROTECTION PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS › Section R. 460.130a - Critical care customer shut off protection

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 30a.
(1) A
				  utility shall restore or refrain from shutting off utility service to a
				  critical care customer due to an inability to pay a utility bill where an
				  interruption of service would be immediately life threatening.
(2) On an annual basis, a critical care
				  customer shall provide the utility with an updated commission-approved medical
				  certification form certifying his or her continued status as a critical care
				  customer. If the customers status as a critical care customer ends, a customer
				  or occupant of the household shall notify the utility of the change in
				  status.
(3) A utility shall provide
				  a critical care customer with a grace period of 3 business days during which it
				  shall postpone the shutoff of utility service to the critical care customer to
				  allow the customer time to obtain a completed commission-approved medical
				  certification form.
(4) Upon
				  request, a utility shall provide and make available on its website a
				  commission-approved medical certification form for use in obtaining a
				  physicians or medical facilitys certification demonstrating the customers
				  status as a critical care customer. Upon receipt of the medical certification
				  form, the utility shall notify the customer that it has received the
				  form.
(5) A utility shall maintain
				  a special file on critical care customers and an appropriate identification of
				  such customers for the purpose of ensuring that utility service is provided for
				  as long as the customer remains a critical care customer and the customers
				  inability to pay continues.
(6)
				  When a utility has notice of a critical care customer for whom a planned
				  service interruption would be immediately life threatening, the utility shall
				  notify the customer of the planned service interruption and shall not shut off
				  service using remote shutoff capability without first initiating
				  person-to-person contact with the customer.
(7) Nothing in this rule relieves the
				  customer of his or her obligation to pay for utility service. A utility may
				  require that the customer enter into a reasonable payment plan.
(8) Nothing in this rule shall prohibit a
				  utility that observes an unsafe connection at a customer's location caused by
				  unauthorized use of electric or natural gas service, from implementing measures
				  to cure or address the unsafe connection pursuant to section 9d(1) of 1939 PA
				  3, MCL
				  460.9d(1).
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 7 - ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SHUTOFF PROTECTION PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS › Section R. 460.132 - Winter protection plan for eligible senior citizen customers

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 32.
(1) A
				  utility shall not shut off service to an eligible senior citizen customer
				  during the heating season.
(2) At
				  the customer's request, a utility shall restore service to an eligible senior
				  citizen customer's documented personal residence during the heating season
				  without payment of the amount due, deposits, reconnection fees, or other
				  charges.
(3) At the conclusion of
				  the heating season, the utility shall reconcile the accounts of eligible senior
				  citizen customers and permit them to pay any amounts owing in equal monthly
				  installments between April 1 and October 31.
(4) Nothing in this rule relieves the
				  customer of his or her obligation to pay for utility service.
(5) Nothing in this rule shall prohibit a
				  utility that observes an unsafe connection at a customer's location caused by
				  unauthorized use of electric or natural gas service, from implementing measures
				  to cure or address the unsafe connection pursuant to section 9d(1) of 1939 PA
				  3, MCL
				  460.9d(1).
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 7 - ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SHUTOFF PROTECTION PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS › Section R. 460.133 - Eligible military customer

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 33.
(1) The
				  utility shall not shut off service to an eligible military customer for a
				  period of 90 days. The utility shall continue to provide shutoff protection for
				  at least 1 additional 90-day period as long as the customer meets all of the
				  conditions for an eligible military customer and requests the utility to do so.
				  After the close of the last 90-day period, the utility shall require the
				  customer to pay any past due amounts in equal monthly payments over a period of
				  up to 12 months.
(2) The utility
				  shall provide the eligible military customer with information on payment
				  assistance programs.
(3) Nothing in
				  this rule shall prohibit a utility that observes an unsafe connection at a
				  customer's location caused by unauthorized use of electric or natural gas
				  service, from implementing measures to cure or address the unsafe connection
				  pursuant to section 9d(1) of 1939 PA 3, MCL
				  460.9d(1).
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 7 - ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SHUTOFF PROTECTION PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS › Section R. 460.134 - Extreme weather condition policy

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 34.
(1)
				  Within 6 months of the effective date of this rule, a utility shall adopt and
				  submit an extreme weather condition policy to the commission for approval that
				  provides, at a minimum, both of the following:
(a) The criteria or factors a utility follows
				  in suspending disconnection of service to residential customers during extreme
				  hot and cold weather.
(b) Any
				  preferential treatment given to certain classes of residential
				  customers.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 8 - PROCEDURES FOR SHUTOFF AND RESTORATION OF SERVICE › Section R. 460.136 - Emergency shutoff

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 36. Notwithstanding any other provision of these
					 rules, a utility may shut off service temporarily for reasons of health or
					 safety or in a state or national emergency. When a utility shuts off service
					 for reasons of health or safety, the utility shall leave a notice at the
					 premises in accordance with the provisions of
					 R
					 460.140(1)(a),(b), and
					 (j).
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 8 - PROCEDURES FOR SHUTOFF AND RESTORATION OF SERVICE › Section R. 460.137 - Shutoff or denial of service permitted

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 37.
(1)
				  Subject to the requirements of these rules, a utility may shut off or deny
				  service to a customer for any of the following reasons:
(a) The customer has not paid a delinquent
				  account that accrued within the last 6 years.
(b) The customer has failed to provide a
				  deposit or guarantee permitted by these rules.
(c) The customer has engaged in unauthorized
				  use of utility service or unauthorized use of equipment furnished and owned by
				  the utility occurs, including obtaining the use of equipment by submitting an
				  application containing false information.
(d) The customer has refused to arrange
				  access at reasonable times for the purpose of inspection, meter reading,
				  maintenance, or replacement of equipment that is installed upon the premises,
				  or for the removal of a meter.
(e)
				  An occupant who has used electricity or natural gas has failed to establish
				  service in conformance with these rules.
(f) The customer has failed to comply with
				  the terms and conditions of a payment plan or settlement agreement.
(g) For violation of, or noncompliance with,
				  the utility's rules on file with, and approved, by the commission.
Michigan Administrative Code › Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs › Public Service Commission › Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service › Part 8 - PROCEDURES FOR SHUTOFF AND RESTORATION OF SERVICE › Section R. 460.138 - Shut off prohibited

Current through Vol. 24-12, July 15, 2024
Rule 38.
(1) A
				  utility shall not shut off service for any of the following reasons:
(a) The customer has not paid for items, such
				  as merchandise, appliances, or services that are not approved by the commission
				  as an integral part of the utility service that is provided by the
				  utility.
(b) During the heating
				  season, the customer is an eligible senior citizen.
(c) The customer has not paid for concurrent
				  service received at a separate metering point, residence, or
				  location.
(d) The customer has not
				  paid for a different type or class of service received at the same or a
				  different location. The placing of more than 1 meter at the same location for
				  the purpose of billing the usage of specific residential energy-using devices
				  under optional rate schedules or provisions is not a different type or class of
				  service for the purposes of this rule.
(e) The customer has not paid for service
				  used by another person, such as a tenant. A utility may shutoff service in any
				  of the following circumstances where proper notice has been given:
(i) If the customer supplies a written,
				  notarized statement that the premises are unoccupied.
(ii) If the premises are occupied and the
				  occupant agrees, in writing, to the shut off of service.
(iii) If it is not feasible to provide
				  service to the occupant as a customer without a major revision of existing
				  distribution facilities. Where it is feasible to provide service, the utility
				  shall offer the occupant the opportunity to subscribe for service in his or her
				  own name. If the occupant refuses, the utility may shut off service pursuant to
				  these rules.
(f) A
				  person qualifies as an eligible military customer.
(g) For nonresidential customers, failure to
				  pay the bill of another customer as guarantor.
(h) The customer has an informal complaint,
				  customer hearing, or formal hearing pending with the utility or the commission,
				  except pursuant to the terms of an interim determination, pursuant to
				  R 460.155,
				  R
				  460.163, and
				  R
				  460.168.