Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 165 - Corporation Commission › Chapter 45 - Gas Service Utilities › Subchapter 11 - Customer Service › Part 3 - DISCONNECTION OF SERVICE › Section 165:45-11-16 - Notice of disconnection of service

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
(a)
Twenty-four hour notice.
Except as provided in subsections (b), (c) and (f) of this Section, OAC
				  165:45-11-14(e)
				  and OAC 165:45-11-18, service shall be
				  disconnected only after at least twenty-four (24) hours written notice has been
				  given to the consumer by leaving a copy of such notice with the consumer or by
				  leaving a copy of such notice in a conspicuous place at the premises where
				  service is provided. This notice shall be in writing, in bolded lettering, and
				  state the reason for the disconnection, the amount due, if applicable, and the
				  utility company's name, telephone number, and contact information. After the
				  utility company's contact information, the notice shall include the telephone
				  number of CSD in a printed size smaller than the print size used for the
				  utility company's contact information, not bolded, and shall include the
				  following statement: "For clarification of statutes and rules governing
				  services, or escalations of disputes, you may contact the Oklahoma Corporation
				  Commission's Consumer Services Division." The utility shall submit a copy of
				  the notice to PUD for approval prior to usage.
(b)
First residential notice.
When service to a residential consumer is to be disconnected for nonpayment of
				  a bill for utility service or failure to make a security deposit after a
				  reasonable time, the utility company shall give at least ten (10) days written
				  notice from the date of mailing to the consumer. Said written notice shall be
				  sent by first-class mail, address correction requested, by the utility company
				  to the consumer's billing address, unless the mail is returned from that
				  address as undeliverable, in which case the notice may be delivered to the
				  premises at which the service was rendered.
(1) Notice will be deemed delivered to the
				  consumer three (3) business days after mailing by the utility company, which
				  shall not extend the ten (10) days written notice from the date of mailing to
				  the consumer requirement above.
(2)
				  A notice of disconnection shall contain the following information:
(A) The words "DISCONNECTION NOTICE" or "CUT
				  OFF NOTICE" in bold print no smaller than one-half inch (½")
				  tall.
(B) The name and address of
				  the consumer.
(C) A statement of
				  the reason for the proposed disconnection of service.
(D) The date on or after which service will
				  be disconnected unless appropriate action is taken.
(E) The telephone number in bold print of the
				  utility company where the consumer may make an inquiry.
(F) The approved charges for reconnection.
(G) A statement that the consumer
				  must contact the utility company regarding the disconnection, prior to
				  contacting the Commission's CSD, and should contact CSD if they cannot reach a
				  resolution with the utility.
(H)
				  The address and telephone number of the Commission's CSD, in print size which
				  is smaller than the print size used for the utility company's telephone number.
(I) A statement that advises the
				  consumer of the availability of a deferred payment agreement.
(J) A statement that advises the consumer of
				  the elderly/consumer with disabilities notification.
(K) A statement that advises the consumer of
				  the life-threatening certificate.
(L) A statement that advises the consumer of
				  the availability of the 20-day financial aid assistance delay.
(M) A statement that advises the consumer of
				  the availability of a list of agencies providing assistance to consumers for
				  their utility bills as identified by OAC
				  165:45-11-12.
(N) A statement that advises the consumer,
				  that a list of pay agents is available upon request.
(3) The utility company shall notify the
				  consumers in writing, at least annually, of the availability of and the method
				  of accessing the name and address of the authorized payment agencies, other
				  than the utility company's offices, where consumers may make payments.