Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 165 - Corporation Commission › Chapter 35 - Electric Utility Rules › Subchapter 1 - General Provisions › Section 165:35-1-3 - Application of rules

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
(a) This
				Chapter shall apply to the operations of any electric utility operating within
				the State of Oklahoma under the jurisdiction of the Commission.
(b) This Chapter is intended to define good
				business practice under normal conditions, to ensure adequate service and
				prevent unfair charges to the public, and to protect the utilities from
				unreasonable demands.
(c) In any
				case where a controversy arises in connection with the interpretation of any
				provisions of this Chapter or the applicability thereof, the Commission will
				make such orders as it may deem appropriate upon application of any interested
				party and after notice and hearing.
(d) A utility may decline initial service to
				a consumer until service may be rendered in compliance with this Chapter and
				applicable municipal ordinances and regulations.
(e) A utility may prescribe rules and
				regulations for furnishing service not inconsistent with this Chapter. No such
				rules shall be valid until filed with and approved by the Commission. A utility
				may refuse or discontinue service for noncompliance with its service rules only
				in cases where its approved rules specifically so provide.
(f) Whenever compliance with any provision or
				requirement of this Chapter would be unduly burdensome, or cause an
				unreasonable hardship or an excessive expense, or result in an unusual
				difficulty, or for other good cause shown the Commission may, upon application
				of the utility or the consumer and after notice and hearing, suspend or excuse
				compliance therewith or make such other requirements as it shall deem
				appropriate. For good cause shown, the Commission may grant temporary relief
				pending the hearing. If, after the effective date of this Chapter, a utility
				seeks an exception or variance from this Chapter in its tariffs or terms and
				conditions of service, such exception or variance shall be clearly shown on
				such tariffs or terms and conditions of service, sufficient to plainly bring to
				the Commission's attention to the exact nature of the said exception or
				variance. Any exception or variance not so marked or identified in such tariff
				or terms and conditions of service shall be superseded by this Chapter to the
				extent that said exception or variance is in conflict therewith. Upon approval
				by the Commission, the variance should indicate the number of the authoritative
				Commission order.
(g) The adoption
				of this Chapter shall in no way preclude the Commission from altering or
				amending this Chapter in whole or in part after notice and hearing, or from
				allowing or requiring additional or different service, equipment, facility, or
				standards than prescribed by this Chapter, either upon complaint or application
				or upon its own motion. Nothing provided in this Chapter shall relieve any
				utility from any duty prescribed by the laws of the State of Oklahoma.
(h) A utility shall not be
				required to take any action to ensure that a consumer follows or takes any
				action in compliance with any Commission rule or regulation concerning
				submetering activities, and no utility shall in any way be deemed to be
				responsible for any failure by a consumer or third party to follow or take
				actions in compliance with such Commission rules and regulations.
(i) The utility shall be subject to a fine
				per day per occurrence for any violation of this Chapter. The fine shall be
				determined pursuant to 17 O.S. § 1, after notice and hearing.
Amended at 10 Ok Reg
				  2633, eff 6-25-93; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 2237, eff
				  7-1-99