reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter F - DISPUTES; TERMINATION DISPUTES; INFORMAL AND FORMAL COMPLAINTS › INFORMAL COMPLAINT PROCEDURES › Section 56.165 - Conference procedures

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Conferences held under §
												§
												56.161-56.164 and this section will be
						  informal and may be held by conference telephone call, when appropriate. If the
						  parties are to be present, the conferences will take place within reasonable
						  proximity to the situs of the complaint.
The provisions of this §
														56.165 amended under the Public
							 Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															331,
							 501,
							 504,
							 1301,
							 1305,
							 1401-1419,
							 1501 and
							 1504.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
														56.100 (relating to winter
							 termination procedures); 52 Pa. Code §
														57.257 (relating to disputes
							 concerning advanced metering); and 52 Pa. Code §
														69.265 (relating to CAP design
							 element).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter F - DISPUTES; TERMINATION DISPUTES; INFORMAL AND FORMAL COMPLAINTS › INFORMAL COMPLAINT PROCEDURES › Section 56.166 - Informal complaints

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The Commission delegates to the Bureau of Consumer
						  Services (BCS) the primary authority to resolve customer, applicant or occupant
						  informal complaints arising under this chapter. The BCS, through its Director
						  and with the concurrence of the Commission, will establish appropriate internal
						  procedures to implement this chapter.
(1) The Commission will accept complaints
						only from complainants who affirm that they have first contacted the public
						utility for the purpose of resolving the problem about which the complainant
						wishes to file a complaint. If the complainant has not contacted the public
						utility, the Commission will direct the complainant to the public
						utility.
(2) Only after the
						complainant and the public utility have failed to resolve the dispute will BCS
						initiate an investigation.
The provisions of this §
														56.166 issued under the Public
							 Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															1401-1419.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter F - DISPUTES; TERMINATION DISPUTES; INFORMAL AND FORMAL COMPLAINTS › FORMAL COMPLAINTS › Section 56.171 - General rule

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, formal
						  complaint proceedings will proceed according to the rules and regulations of
						  the Commission governing complaint proceedings.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
														56.100 (relating to winter
							 termination procedures); 52 Pa. Code §
														56.163 (relating to Commission
							 informal complaint procedure); and 52 Pa. Code §
														57.257 (relating to disputes
							 concerning advanced metering).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter F - DISPUTES; TERMINATION DISPUTES; INFORMAL AND FORMAL COMPLAINTS › FORMAL COMPLAINTS › Section 56.172 - Filing

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) A request for
						review of the decision of the Bureau of Consumer Services (BCS) shall be
						initiated in writing within 20 days of issuance.
(b) Upon receipt of a request for review of
						the decision of the BCS, the Secretary of the Commission will mail a formal
						complaint form to the requesting person.
(c) Within 30 days of the mailing of the
						formal complaint form, the party requesting review of the decision of the BCS
						shall file the completed complaint form with the Secretary.
(d) Upon the filing of a formal complaint
						within the 30-day period and not thereafter except for good cause shown, there
						will be an automatic stay of the informal complaint decision.
(e) The failure to request review of the BCS
						decision by filing a formal complaint within the 30-day period does not
						foreclose a party from filing a formal complaint at a later time except as
						otherwise may be provided in 66 Pa.C.S. (relating to Public Utility
						Code).
The provisions of this §
														56.172 amended under the Public
							 Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															331,
							 332,
							 501,
							 504,
							 1301,
							 1305,
							 1401-1419,
							 1501 and
							 1504.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
														56.100 (relating to winter
							 termination procedures); 52 Pa. Code §
														56.163 (relating to Commission
							 informal complaint procedure); and 52 Pa. Code §
														57.257 (relating to disputes
							 concerning advanced metering).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter F - DISPUTES; TERMINATION DISPUTES; INFORMAL AND FORMAL COMPLAINTS › FORMAL COMPLAINTS › Section 56.173 - Review from informal complaint decisions of the Bureau of Consumer Services

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Assignment.
Review of informal complaint decisions will be
						heard de novo by a law judge or special agent.
(b)
Filing and docketing.
A
						complaint will be filed and docketed as a formal Commission complaint, under
						§
												§
												1.31-1.38 (relating to documentary
						filings).
(c)
Captions.
The parties to a review will be stated in the
						caption as they stood upon the record of the informal complaint proceeding. If
						the party requesting review is a public utility, the phrase "Complaint
						Appellant" will be added after its name.
(d)
Hearings.
Hearings
						conducted by an administrative law judge or special agent will be held within a
						reasonable period of time after the filing of the answer. The parties may
						incorporate portions of the conference report or informal decision that they
						shall agree upon.
(e)
Formal complaint decision.
The administrative law judge or
						special agent assigned to the formal complaint will issue a decision within a
						reasonable period of time after the receipt of the transcribed testimony. The
						following will be included in the decision:
(1) A description of the matter.
(2) A findings of fact.
(3) The conclusions of law.
(4) Other discussion and opinion as
						appropriate.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter F - DISPUTES; TERMINATION DISPUTES; INFORMAL AND FORMAL COMPLAINTS › FORMAL COMPLAINTS › Section 56.174 - Ability to pay proceedings

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Assignments.
Requests for review of decisions of the Bureau of
						Consumer Services (BCS) and any other case in which the issue is solely ability
						to pay may be assigned to a special agent.
(b)
Stay of informal complaint
						decision.
Upon the filing of a formal complaint in a case seeking
						review from the decision of the BCS, there shall be an automatic stay of
						payment arrangements ordered in that decision, other than current bills not at
						issue. The public utility may request that the presiding officer remove the
						stay and order payment of amounts in the informal complaint decision. When
						current bills are not at issue, the customer shall be responsible for payment
						of current, undisputed bills pending issuance of a final Commission
						order.
(c)
Hearings.
The presiding officer will conduct hearings within a
						reasonable period after filing of the review and answer. If the presiding
						officer is a special agent, the special agent will have all powers of an
						administrative law judge.
(1) The presiding
						officer will attempt to hold hearings by telephone, unless one or more parties
						object. Hearings will be held after the filing of an answer.
(2) The presiding officer will hear the case
						de novo, but may request a stipulation of the parties as to undisputed
						facts.
(3) Hearings will be tape
						recorded and will not be transcribed, unless the parties request the use of a
						stenographer or a transcription of the tape or other circumstances warranting
						transcription exist. Unless objected to, parties may make their own tape
						recording of the proceedings, but the only official record shall be that made
						by the presiding officer.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter F - DISPUTES; TERMINATION DISPUTES; INFORMAL AND FORMAL COMPLAINTS › PAYMENT OF BILLS PENDING RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES AND COMPLAINTS › Section 56.181 - Duties of parties; disputing party's duty to pay undisputed portion of bills; public utility's duty to pay interest whenever overpayment found

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Pending resolution of a dispute, including a
						  termination dispute, the disputing party shall be required to pay the
						  undisputed portion of bills, as described in this section.
(1)
Pending informal
						complaint.
Pending the outcome of an informal complaint, the disputing
						party shall be obligated to pay that portion of a bill which is not honestly
						disputed. An amount ultimately determined, by the parties or the Commission, to
						have been validly due but not paid may be paid with interest at the tariff rate
						filed under §
												56.22 (relating to accrual of late
						payment charges) except when interest charges have been reduced or eliminated
						by the parties or the Commission to facilitate payment by the disputing
						party.
(2)
Pending formal
						complaint.
Prior to the hearing on a formal complaint or prior to the
						issuance of a Commission order when no hearing is to be held in a formal
						complaint proceeding, the customer shall be required to pay that amount which
						the consumer services representative determines is not disputed.
(3)
Overpayments reimbursed with
						interest.
An amount ultimately determined to have been overpaid by
						the disputing party shall be reimbursed with interest at the tariff rate filed
						under § 56.22.
(4)
Effect of offer of payment.
An offer by a customer to pay all
						or any portion of a bill may not be deemed a waiver of a right to reimbursement
						for amounts subsequently deemed, by the parties or the Commission, to have been
						overpaid.
(5)
Effect of
						acceptance of partial payment.
The acceptance by a public utility of
						a partial payment for a bill pending final outcome of a dispute may not be
						deemed an accord and satisfaction or waiver of the right of the public utility
						to payment in full as subsequently agreed to by the parties or decided by the
						Commission.
The provisions of this §
														56.181 amended under the Public
							 Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															1401-1419.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
														56.12 (relating to meter reading;
							 estimated billing; customer readings); 52 Pa. Code §
														56.164 (relating to termination
							 pending resolution of the dispute); and 52 Pa. Code §
														57.257 (relating to disputes
							 concerning advanced metering).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter G - RESTORATION OF SERVICE › Section 56.191 - Payment and timing

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Fee.
A public utility may require a reconnection fee based
					 upon the public utility's cost as approved by the Commission prior to
					 reconnection of service following lawful termination of the service. The amount
					 of this fee must be specified in the public utility's tariff on file with the
					 Commission.
(b)
Timing.
When service to a dwelling has been terminated, the
					 public utility shall reconnect service as follows:
(1)
Customers.
(i) Within 24 hours for erroneous
					 terminations or upon receipt by the public utility of a valid medical
					 certification. Erroneous terminations include instances when the grounds for
					 termination were removed by the customer paying the amount needed to avoid
					 termination prior to the termination of the service.
(ii) Within 24 hours for terminations and
					 reconnections occurring after November 30 and before April 1.
(iii) Within 3 calendar days for erroneous
					 terminations requiring street or sidewalk digging.
(iv) Within 3 calendar days from April 1 to
					 November 30 for proper terminations.
(v) Within 7 calendar days for proper
					 terminations requiring street or sidewalk digging.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter G - RESTORATION OF SERVICE › Section 56.192 - Personnel available to restore service

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
A public utility shall have adequate personnel available
						between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on each working day or for a commensurate period of 8
						consecutive hours to restore service when required under this chapter,
						specifically in §
											§
											56.82 and
						56.191 (relating to timing of
						termination; and payment and timing).
The provisions of this §
													56.192 amended under the Public
						  Utility Code,
						  66 Pa.C.S. §
														§
														1401-1419.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
													57.257 (relating to disputes
						  concerning advanced metering).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter H - PUBLIC INFORMATION PROCEDURES; RECORD MAINTENANCE › Section 56.201 - Public information

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) In
					 addition to the notice requirements in this chapter, the Commission will,
					 within 6 months of the effective date of a change to a regulation in this
					 chapter, prepare a summary of the rights and responsibilities of the public
					 utility and its customers affected by the change. Summaries will be mailed by
					 the public utility to each customer of the public utility affected by the
					 change. These summaries, as well as a summary of the rights and
					 responsibilities of the public utility and its customers in accordance with
					 this chapter, shall be in writing, reproduced by the public utility, displayed
					 prominently, available on the public utility's web site if the public utility
					 has one and available at all public utility office locations open to the
					 general public. The public utility shall inform new customers of the
					 availability of this information and direct where to locate it on the public
					 utility's web site. The public utility shall deliver or mail a copy upon the
					 request of a customer or applicant.
(b) A public utility which serves a
					 substantial number of Spanish-speaking customers shall provide billing
					 information in English and in Spanish. The written information must indicate
					 conspicuously that it is being provided in accordance with this title and
					 contain information concerning, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Billing and estimated billing
					 procedures.
(2) Methods for
					 customer verification of billing accuracy.
(3) Explanation of operation of purchased gas
					 adjustment clauses.
(4) Payment
					 requirements and procedures.
(5)
					 Security deposit and guarantee requirements.
(6) Procedures for discontinuance and
					 reconnection of service.
(7)
					 Dispute, informal complaint and formal complaint procedures.
(8) Explanation of meter reading procedures
					 which would enable a customer or occupant to read his own meter.
(9) Procedure whereby customers or occupants
					 may avoid discontinuance of service during extended periods of
					 absence.
(10) Third-party
					 notification procedures.
(11)
					 Telephone numbers and addresses of the public utility and of the nearest
					 regional office of the Commission where further inquiries may be
					 made.
(12) Definitions of terms or
					 abbreviations used by the public utility on its bills.
(13) Information indicating that additional
					 consumer protections may be available for victims of domestic violence who have
					 a protection from abuse order or a court order issued by a court of competent
					 jurisdiction in this Commonwealth which provides clear evidence of domestic
					 violence, people with serious illnesses and low income households.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter H - PUBLIC INFORMATION PROCEDURES; RECORD MAINTENANCE › Section 56.202 - Record maintenance

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
A public utility shall preserve for a minimum of 4 years
						written or recorded disputes and complaints, keep the records accessible within
						this Commonwealth at an office located in the territory served by it and make
						the records available for examination by the Commission or its staff.
						Information to be maintained includes the following:
(1) The payment performance of each of its
					 customers.
(2) The number of
					 payment arrangements made by the public utility company and a synopsis of the
					 terms, conditions and standards upon which arrangements were made.
(3) The number of service terminations and
					 reconnections.
(4) Communications
					 to or from individual customers regarding interruptions, discontinuances,
					 terminations and reconnections of service, including the name and address of
					 the customer, the date and character of the dispute or complaint and the
					 adjustment or disposal made of the matter.
The provisions of this §
													56.202 amended under the Public
						  Utility Code,
						  66 Pa.C.S. §
														§
														501,
						  504-506,
						  1301,
						  1401-1419,
						  1501 and
						  1509.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
													57.257 (relating to disputes
						  concerning advanced metering).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter I - Reserved › Section 56.211 - Reserved

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The provisions of this §
													56.211 amended under the Public
						  Utility Code,
						  66 Pa.C.S. §
														§
														331,
						  501,
						  504-506,
						  1301,
						  1305,
						  1501 and
						  1504; reserved under the
						  Public Utility Code,
						  66 Pa.C.S. §
														§
														1401-1419.
This subchapter cited in 52 Pa. Code §
													56.100 (relating to winter
						  termination procedures); and 52 Pa. Code §
													57.257 (relating to disputes
						  concerning advanced metering).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter J - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 56.221 - Availability of normal Commission procedures

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Nothing in this chapter prevents a person or a public
						utility from pursuing other Commission procedures in a case not described in
						this chapter.
The provisions of this §
													56.221 amended under the Public
						  Utility Code,
						  66 Pa.C.S. §
														§
														1401-1419.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
													57.257 (relating to disputes
						  concerning advanced metering).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter J - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 56.222 - Applications for modification or exception

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) If unreasonable hardship to a person or
					 to a public utility results from compliance with a section in this chapter, or
					 a technological advance permits an enhanced level of customer service,
					 application may be made to the Commission for modification of the section or
					 for temporary exemption from its requirements. The adoption of this chapter by
					 the Commission will in no way preclude it from altering or amending it under
					 the applicable statutory procedures, nor will the adoption of this chapter
					 preclude the Commission from granting temporary exemptions in exceptional
					 cases.
(b) A person or public
					 utility that files an application under this section shall provide notice to
					 persons who may be affected by the modification or temporary exemption. Notice
					 may be made by a bill insert or in another reasonable manner.
The provisions of this §
													56.222 amended under the Public
						  Utility Code,
						  66 Pa.C.S. §
														§
														1401-1419.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
													57.257 (relating to disputes
						  concerning advanced metering).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter J - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 56.223 - Inconsistent tariff provisions

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
A tariff provision inconsistent with this chapter is
						deemed nonoperative and superseded by this chapter.
The provisions of this §
													56.223 amended under the Public
						  Utility Code,
						  66 Pa.C.S. §
														§
														331,
						  501,
						  504,
						  1301,
						  1305,
						  1501 and
						  1504.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
													57.257 (relating to disputes
						  concerning advanced metering).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter K - PUBLIC UTILITY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS › Section 56.231 - Reporting requirements

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) Within
					 15 days after the end of each month, each electric distribution utility,
					 natural gas distribution utility and class A water distribution utility shall
					 file with the Commission a report containing all of the following information
					 concerning residential accounts for that month:
(1) The total number of residential heating
					 customers.
(2) The total number of
					 residential nonheating customers.
(3) The total number of active residential
					 accounts in arrears not on a payment arrangement.
(4) The total dollar amount in arrears for
					 active residential accounts in arrears and not on a payment
					 arrangement.
(5) The total number
					 of active residential accounts in arrears and on a payment
					 arrangement.
(6) The total dollar
					 amount in arrears for active residential accounts in arrears and on a payment
					 arrangement.
(7) The total number
					 of inactive residential accounts in arrears.
(8) The total dollar amount of inactive
					 residential accounts in arrears.
(9) The total number of 10-day termination
					 notices sent out by company.
(10)
					 The total number of dwellings receiving termination notices sent to occupants
					 other than the customer.
(11) The
					 total number of 3-day termination notices completed by contact in
					 person.
(12) The total number of
					 3-day termination notices completed by telephone.
(13) The total number of 3-day termination
					 notices completed by electronic messaging formats.
(14) The total number of 48-hour termination
					 notices posted.
(15) The total
					 number of terminations for nonpayment.
(16) The total number of terminations for
					 reasons other than nonpayment.
(17)
					 The total number of terminations for nonpayment and for reasons other than
					 nonpayment categorized by the first three digits of each account's postal
					 code.
(18) The total number of
					 reconnections for full customer payment, partial payment or payment
					 arrangement.
(19) The total number
					 of reconnections for customer submission of medical certification.
(20) The total number of reconnections for
					 reasons other than customer payment or medical certification.
(21) The total number of applicants that are
					 requested to pay or are billed a security deposit.
(22) The total dollar amount in security
					 deposits that are requested of or billed to applicants.
(23) The total number of customers that are
					 requested to pay or are billed a security deposit.
(24) The total dollar amount in security
					 deposits that are requested of or billed to customers.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter L - PROVISIONS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITH A PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ORDER OR A COURT ORDER ISSUED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THIS COMMONWEALTH WHICH PROVIDES CLEAR EVIDENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE › Section 56.251 - Statement of purpose and policy

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Subchapters L-V apply to victims under a protection from
						abuse order as provided by 23 Pa.C.S. Chapter 61 (relating to Protection from
						Abuse Act) or a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in this
						Commonwealth which provides clear evidence of domestic violence against the
						applicant or customer as provided by
						66 Pa.C.S. §
												1417
						(relating to nonapplicability). These subchapters establish and enforce
						uniform, fair and equitable residential public utility service standards
						governing eligibility criteria, credit and deposit practices, and account
						billing, termination and customer complaint procedures. This chapter assures
						adequate provision of residential public utility service, to restrict
						unreasonable termination of or refusal to provide that service and to provide
						functional alternatives to termination or refusal to provide that service.
						Every privilege conferred or duty required under this chapter imposes an
						obligation of good faith, honesty and fair dealing in its performance and
						enforcement. This chapter will be liberally construed to fulfill its purpose
						and policy and to insure justice for all concerned.
The provisions of this §
													56.251 amended under the Public
						  Utility Code,
						  66 Pa.C.S. §
														§
														501,
						  1301,
						  1401-1419,
						  1501 and
						  1509.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter M - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › GENERAL › Section 56.261 - Billing frequency

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) A
						public utility shall render a bill once every billing period to every
						residential customer in accordance with approved rate schedules.
(b) A public utility may utilize electronic
						billing in lieu of mailed paper bills. Electronic billing programs must include
						the following:
(1) The electronic billing
						option is voluntary and only with the prior consent of the customer. The
						customer retains the right to revert to conventional paper billings upon
						request. The customer shall provide the public utility with a one billing cycle
						notice of a request to revert to paper billing.
(2) A customer shall receive the same
						information that is included with a paper bill issued by the public
						utility.
(3) The electronic bill
						must include the same disclosures and educational messages that are required
						for paper bills. The electronic transmission of termination notices may not be
						permitted unless the customer has affirmatively consented to this method of
						delivery. The electronic delivery of a termination notice does not relieve the
						public utility of the obligation to provide termination notices as required
						under §
													§ 56.331-56.338.
(4) The electronic bill must include all
						required bill inserts in an easily accessed and easily readable
						format.
(5) The electronic bill
						must include the option for the customer to contribute to the public utility's
						hardship fund if the public utility is able to accept hardship fund
						contributions by this method.
(6) A
						customer may not be required to pay an additional fee to receive an electronic
						bill.
(7) The public utility shall
						maintain a system to deliver electronic bills if the bill is emailed to a
						customer.
(8) The public utility
						shall employ all reasonable measures to protect customer information from
						unauthorized disclosure and prevent access to customer account records by
						persons who are not properly authorized to have access.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter M - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › GENERAL › Section 56.262 - Meter reading; estimated billing; customer readings

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Except as provided in this section, a public utility
						  shall render bills based on actual meter readings by public utility company
						  personnel.
(1)
Inapplicability
						to seasonally billed customers
. This section does not apply to
						customers billed on a seasonal basis under terms included in the tariff of the
						public utility.
(2)
Estimates for bills rendered on a monthly basis
. If a public
						utility bills on a monthly basis, it may estimate usage of service every other
						billing month, so long as the public utility provides a customer with the
						opportunity to read the meter and report the quantity of usage in lieu of the
						estimated bill. The resulting bills must be based on the information provided,
						except for an account when it is apparent that the information is erroneous.
(i) Upon the request of the customer, the
						public utility shall, at least annually, provide preaddressed postcards on
						which the customer may report the reading. The public utility shall provide
						additional preaddressed postcards on request. The public utility may choose to
						make available electronic and telephonic methods for customers to report meter
						reading information.
(ii) The
						public utility may establish due dates by which the customer supplied reading
						shall be received for a bill to be based upon the meter reading of the customer
						or occupant. If the reading of a customer or occupant is not received by that
						due date, the public utility may estimate the quantity of usage. The public
						utility may establish due dates for submitting a meter reading when the
						customer or occupant utilizes an electronic method for reporting meter
						readings.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter M - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › GENERAL › Section 56.263 - Billings for merchandise, appliances and nonrecurring and recurring services

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Charges for other than basic service-that is,
						  merchandise, appliances and special services, including merchandise and
						  appliance installation, sales, rental and repair costs; meter testing fees;
						  line extension costs; special construction charges and other nonrecurring
						  charges, except as provided in this chapter-must appear after charges for basic
						  services and appear distinctly separate. This includes charges for optional
						  recurring services which are distinctly separate and clearly not required for
						  the physical delivery of service. Examples include line repair programs and
						  appliance warranty programs. See §
												56.323(3)
						  (relating to unauthorized termination of service).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter M - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › GENERAL › Section 56.264 - Previously unbilled public utility service

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
When a public utility renders a make-up bill for
						  previously unbilled public utility service which accrued within the past 4
						  years resulting from public utility billing error, meter failure, leakage that
						  could not reasonably have been detected or loss of service, or four or more
						  consecutive estimated bills and the make-up bill exceeds the otherwise normal
						  estimated bill for the billing period during which the make-up bill is issued
						  by at least 50% or at least $50, whichever is greater:
(1) The public utility shall explain the bill
						to the customer and make a reasonable attempt to amortize the bill.
(2) The period of the amortization may, at
						the option of the customer, extend at least as long as:
(i) The period during which the excess amount
						accrued.
(ii) Necessary so that the
						quantity of service billed in any one billing period is not greater than the
						normal estimated quantity for that period plus 50%.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter M - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › GENERAL › Section 56.266 - Transfer of accounts

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) A customer
						who is about to vacate premises supplied with public utility service or who
						wishes to have service discontinued shall give at least 7 days' notice to the
						public utility and a noncustomer occupant, specifying the date on which it is
						desired that service be discontinued. In the absence of a notice, the customer
						shall be responsible for services rendered. If the public utility is not, after
						a reasonable attempt to obtain meter access, able to access the meter for
						discontinuance, service shall be discontinued with an estimated meter reading
						upon which the final bill will be based. The resulting final bill is subject to
						adjustment once the public utility has obtained an actual meter
						reading.
(b) In the event of
						discontinuance or termination of service at a residence or dwelling in
						accordance with this chapter, a public utility may transfer an unpaid balance
						to a new residential service account of the same customer.
(c) If a termination notice has been issued
						in accordance with §
												56.331 (relating to general notice
						provisions and contents of termination notice) and subsequent to the mailing or
						delivery of that notice, the customer requests a transfer of service to a new
						location, the termination process in §
												§
												56.331-56.339 may continue at the new
						location.
(1) When notifications set forth
						under §
													56.331 and §
													56.335 (relating to deferred
						termination when no prior contact) have been rendered and service has not been
						terminated due to a denial of access to the premises, the public utility may
						deny service at a new location when a service transfer is requested.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be
						construed to limit the right of a customer to dispute a bill within the meaning
						of §
													§
													56.372-56.374 (relating to dispute
						procedures; time for filing an informal complaint; and effect of failure to
						timely file an informal complaint).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter M - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › PAYMENTS › Section 56.271 - Payment

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The due date for payment of a bill may not be less than
						  20 days from the date of transmittal; that is, the date of mailing, electronic
						  transmission or physical delivery of the bill by the public utility to the
						  customer.
(1)
Extension of due
						date to next business day
. If the last day for payment falls on a
						Saturday, Sunday, bank holiday or other day when the offices of the public
						utility which regularly receive payments are not open to the general public,
						the due date shall be extended to the next business day.
(2)
Date of payment by mail
.
						For a remittance by mail, one or more of the following applies:
(i) Payment shall be deemed to have been made
						on the date of the postmark.
(ii)
						The public utility may not impose a late payment charge unless payment is
						received more than 5 days after the due date.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter M - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › PAYMENTS › Section 56.272 - Accrual of late payment charges

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
						Every public utility subject to this chapter is prohibited from levying or
						assessing a late charge or penalty on any overdue public utility bill, as
						defined in §
												56.271 (relating to payment), in
						an amount which exceeds 1.5% interest per month on the overdue balance of the
						bill. These charges are to be calculated on the overdue portions of the bill
						only. The interest rate, when annualized, may not exceed 18% simple interest
						per annum.
(b) An additional charge
						or fixed fee designed to recover the cost of a subsequent rebilling may not be
						charged by a regulated public utility.
(c) Late payment charges may not be imposed
						on disputed estimated bills, unless the estimated bill was required because
						public utility personnel were willfully denied access to the affected premises
						to obtain an actual meter reading.
(d) A public utility may waive late payment
						charges on any customer accounts.
The provisions of this §
														56.272 amended under the Public
							 Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															501,
							 1301,
							 1401-1419,
							 1501 and
							 1509.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
														56.265 (relating to billing
							 information); and 52 Pa. Code §
														56.411 (relating to duties of
							 parties: disputing party's duty to pay undisputed portion of bills; public
							 utility's duty to pay interest whenever over payment
							 found).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter M - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › PAYMENTS › Section 56.273 - Application of partial payments between public utility and other service

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Payments received by a public utility without written
						  instructions that they be applied to merchandise, appliances, special services,
						  meter testing fees or other nonbasic charges and which are insufficient to pay
						  the balance due for the items plus amounts billed for basic public utility
						  service shall first be applied to the basic charges for residential public
						  utility service.
The provisions of this §
														56.273 amended under the Public
							 Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															501,
							 1301,
							 1401-1419,
							 1501 and
							 1509.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter M - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › PAYMENTS › Section 56.274 - Application of partial payments among several bills for public utility service

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
In the absence of written instructions, a disputed bill
						  or payment agreement, payments received by a public utility which are
						  insufficient to pay a balance due both for prior service and for service billed
						  during the current billing period shall first be applied to the balance due for
						  prior service.
The provisions of this §
														56.274 amended under the Public
							 Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															501,
							 1301,
							 1401-1419,
							 1501 and
							 1509.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter M - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › PAYMENTS › Section 56.275 - Electronic bill payment

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
A public utility may offer electronic payment options.
						  Electronic payment programs must include the following requirements:
(1) Electronic bill payment shall be
						voluntary. A public utility may not require a customer to enroll in electronic
						bill payment as a condition for enrolling in electronic billing.
(2) For electronic bill payment through a
						charge to a customer's credit card or automatic withdrawal from a customer's
						financial account, the program must set forth the date (or number of days after
						issuance of the bill) when the automatic payment shall be made.
(3) The terms of the payment procedures shall
						be fully disclosed to the customer in writing, either by mail or
						electronically, before the customer enters the program. Program changes shall
						be conveyed to the customer in writing, either by mail or electronically, and
						the customer shall be given an opportunity to withdraw from the program if the
						customer does not wish to continue under the new terms.
(4) The public utility shall provide a
						receipt, or a confirmation, transaction or reference number, either
						electronically or on paper, to the customer upon payment through the electronic
						method. This requirement does not apply if the payment method is through a
						preauthorized automated debit from a customer's financial account.
(5) The public utility shall employ all
						reasonable measures to protect customer information from unauthorized
						disclosure and prevent access to customer account records by persons who are
						not properly authorized to have access.
The provisions of this §
														56.275 amended under the Public
							 Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															501,
							 1301,
							 1401-1419,
							 1501 and
							 1509.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter N - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › PROCEDURES FOR APPLICANTS › Section 56.281 - Policy statement

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
An essential ingredient of the credit and deposit
						  policies of each public utility shall be the equitable and nondiscriminatory
						  application of those precepts to potential and actual customers throughout the
						  service area without regard to the economic character of the area or any part
						  thereof. Deposit policies must be based upon the credit risk of the individual
						  applicant or customer rather than the credit history of the affected premises
						  or the collective credit reputation or experience in the area in which the
						  applicant or customer lives and without regard to race, age over 18 years of
						  age, National origin, marital status, color, religious creed, ancestry, union
						  membership, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, AIDS or
						  HIV status, or disability.
The provisions of this §
														56.281 amended under the Public
							 Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															501,
							 1301,
							 1401-1419,
							 1501 and
							 1509.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 56 - STANDARDS AND BILLING PRACTICES FOR RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE › Subchapter N - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › PROCEDURES FOR APPLICANTS › Section 56.282 - Credit standards

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
A public utility shall provide residential service
						  without requiring a deposit when the applicant satisfies one of the following
						  requirements:
(1)
Prior public
						utility payment history
. The applicant has been a recipient of public
						utility service of a similar type within a period of 24 consecutive months
						preceding the date of the application and was primarily responsible for payment
						for the service, so long as:
(i) The average
						periodic bill for the service was equal to at least 50% of that estimated for
						new service.
(ii) The service of
						the applicant was not terminated for nonpayment during the last 12 consecutive
						months of that prior service.
(iii)
						The applicant does not have an unpaid balance from that prior
						service.