reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 61 - STEAM HEATING SERVICE › SAFETY REQUIREMENTS › Section 61.45 - Security planning and emergency contact list

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) A steam utility shall develop and
					 maintain written plans for physical and cyber security, emergency response and
					 business continuity in accordance with §
											101.3 (relating to plan
					 requirements).
(b) Within its
					 Chapter 101 emergency response plan, a steam utility shall provide procedures
					 for all of the following:
(1) The
					 availability of personnel, equipment, tools and materials as needed at the
					 scene of an emergency.
(2) Actions
					 directed toward protecting people first, then property.
(3) Emergency shutdown in any section of the
					 pipeline system necessary to minimize hazards to life or property.
(4) Making safe any actual or potential
					 hazard to life or property.
(5)
					 Safely restoring any main or service outage.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 61 - STEAM HEATING SERVICE › SAFETY REQUIREMENTS › Section 61.46 - Customer education and information program

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) A steam utility shall initiate and
					 maintain, on a continuing basis, a satisfactory program for customer education
					 and information designed to assist its customers and appropriate governmental
					 organizations to recognize steam emergency conditions and situations and to
					 notify the steam utility of those emergency situations.
(b) The program and the media used must be as
					 comprehensive as necessary to reach all customers.
(c) During January of each year, a steam
					 utility shall file with the Commission's Secretary and the Pipeline Safety
					 Division a current description of its customer education and information
					 program, including a detailed statement of the means of its implementation and
					 samples of all descriptive literature and other educational aids.
The provisions of this §
													61.46 issued under the Public
						  Utility Code,
						  66 Pa.C.S. §
														§
														501 and
						  1501.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 61 - STEAM HEATING SERVICE › SAFETY REQUIREMENTS › Section 61.47 - Employee training

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) An
					 employee involved in the operation, maintenance or testing of steam pipelines
					 and related facilities shall satisfactorily complete training at all
					 progression levels to ensure effective and safe implementation of the
					 procedures required under this chapter. Every employee and supervisor shall
					 receive annual training.
(b) A new
					 employee involved in the operation, maintenance or testing of steam pipelines
					 and related facilities shall receive basic classroom training prior to
					 on-the-job training in field operations.
The provisions of this §
													61.47 issued under the Public
						  Utility Code,
						  66 Pa.C.S. §
														§
														501 and
						  1501.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 61 - STEAM HEATING SERVICE › SAFETY REQUIREMENTS › Section 61.48 - Periodic inspections

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) Steam
					 traps and trap piping assemblies shall be inspected for general condition and
					 proper operation at least once a year.
(b) Blow-off valves shall be checked for
					 operability immediately prior to closing each associated main valve during a
					 scheduled shutdown of a section of the steam distribution pipeline system.
					 Removal of condensate from a shutdown section of pipeline shall be accomplished
					 prior to reopening main valves.
(c)
					 Accessible expansion joints shall be inspected at least twice annually. The
					 inspection shall include checks for leakage, proper alignment and traverse
					 measurement.
(d) Service valves
					 owned by the utility located within the customer's building shall be inspected
					 at least once annually.
(e)
					 Manholes owned by the utility containing steam facilities shall be inspected
					 for general conditions and adequacy of insulation at least once
					 annually.
(f) Remote system
					 pressure indicating devices shall be inspected and tested for accuracy at least
					 once every 2 years. At a minimum, pressure indicating gauges shall be installed
					 at the interface between portions of the system which are designed for
					 different operating pressures.
The provisions of this §
													61.48 issued under the Public
						  Utility Code,
						  66 Pa.C.S. §
														§
														501 and
						  1501.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 61 - STEAM HEATING SERVICE › SAFETY REQUIREMENTS › Section 61.49 - Records

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
A steam utility shall maintain records documenting
						inspections, maintenance, tests and all other matters required under this
						chapter for at least 5 years. Records shall be kept on file at the steam
						utility's offices and be readily accessible to Commission
						staff.
The provisions of this §
													61.49 issued under the Public
						  Utility Code,
						  66 Pa.C.S. §
														§
														501 and
						  1501.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 61 - STEAM HEATING SERVICE › SAFETY REQUIREMENTS › Section 61.50 - Welding; qualification and nondestructive testing

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) Welding shall be performed by qualified
					 welders employing qualified welding procedures. Welders and welding procedures
					 shall be qualified in accordance with the most updated and applicable standards
					 of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Two Park Avenue, New York, NY
					 10016-5990,
https://www.asme.org/
.
(b) Field welds that are inaccessible or not
					 in a manhole on new steam pipelines shall be nondestructively tested. A new
					 pipeline shall be tested at system pressure.
(c) Field welds made on existing mains and
					 service lines shall be subject to a program of random unannounced
					 nondestructive testing to assess the quality of welding and test the work of
					 each welder. The required minimum testing rate shall be 10% of all welds made
					 during a calendar year. If 10% or more of the welds tested in a calendar year
					 are found to be unacceptable, the test rate shall increase by 5% for the
					 ensuing calendar year. If fewer than 10% of the welds are found to be
					 unacceptable in a year when the required test rate was greater than 10%, the
					 test rate may be decreased by 5% for the ensuing calendar year.
(d) Pressure tests will not be required if
					 100% of the welds are tested with nondestructive methods.
The provisions of this §
													61.50 issued under the Public
						  Utility Code,
						  66 Pa.C.S. §
														§
														501 and
						  1501.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 61 - STEAM HEATING SERVICE › SAFETY REQUIREMENTS › Section 61.51 - Steam leaks and steam emergency reports

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) Emergency leaks require an immediate
					 response to protect life and property and shall be worked continuously until
					 repairs are completed or until the condition is no longer hazardous. An
					 emergency leak includes any leak which could cause property damage or personal
					 injury or any leak which, in the judgment of the operating personnel at the
					 scene, is regarded as potentially hazardous.
(b) Nonemergency leaks include any leak which
					 is not immediately hazardous at the time of discovery and can be reasonably
					 expected to remain that way. Nonemergency leaks shall be re-examined within 6
					 months from the date of discovery, and repaired within a reasonable
					 time.
(c) A steam leak record,
					 identified by number, shall be used to depict the entire history of a leak from
					 the time of discovery through repair. The record must contain information as to
					 the nature of the repair.
(d) A
					 steam utility shall record data and compile a written report of each steam leak
					 and steam emergency leak as defined in subsection (a).
(e) An event log shall be kept and maintained
					 on file recording the receipt and handling of each event and must contain all
					 of the following information:
(1) The location
					 of leak or emergency.
(2) The time
					 the report is first received.
(3) A
					 description as to type of leak or emergency.
(4) The time personnel are first dispatched
					 to the location.
(5) The time of
					 arrival of personnel at the location.
(6) The times of dispatch and arrival of
					 additional personnel called to the location.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 61 - STEAM HEATING SERVICE › SAFETY REQUIREMENTS › Section 61.52 - Facility failure investigation

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) A
					 steam utility shall establish procedures to analyze each failure that causes
					 injury or damage for the purpose of determining its cause and to minimize the
					 possibility of recurrence. The procedures must include a method to select
					 samples of the failed facility or equipment for laboratory examination when
					 necessary. The steam utility's procedures may include the use of independent
					 consultants.
(b) The procedures
					 must provide for complete cooperation between the steam utility, including its
					 independent consultants, with Commission staff in testing or surveying
					 equipment or systems deemed necessary by staff or the consultants for the
					 investigation and analysis of a failure or accident to determine its cause and
					 to minimize the possibility of recurrence.
(c) A facility failure occurs when the
					 facility fails to perform the function it was designed for.
(d) When a steam utility chooses to employ
					 one or more independent consultants, reasonable minimum requirements relating
					 to knowledge, experience and certification must be included in the steam
					 utility's procedures.
The provisions of this §
													61.52 issued under the Public
						  Utility Code,
						  66 Pa.C.S. §
														§
														501 and
						  1501.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter A - UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND ENERGY CONSERVATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS › Section 62.1 - Statement of purpose and policy

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The requirements of
						66 Pa.C.S. §
												2203(8) (relating to
						standards for restructuring of natural gas utility industry) mandate that the
						Commission ensure universal service and energy conservation policies,
						activities and services for residential natural gas customers are appropriately
						funded and available in each NGDC territory. This subchapter requires covered
						NGDCs to establish uniform reporting requirements for universal service and
						energy conservation policies, programs and protections and to report this
						information to the Commission.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter A - UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND ENERGY CONSERVATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS › Section 62.3 - Universal service and energy conservation program goals

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) The Commission will determine if the NGDC
					 meets the goals of universal service and energy conservation
					 programs.
(b) The general goals of
					 universal service and energy conservation programs include the following:
(1) To protect consumers' health and safety
					 by helping low-income customers maintain affordable natural gas
					 service.
(2) To provide for
					 affordable natural gas service by making available payment assistance to
					 low-income customers.
(3) To help
					 low-income customers conserve energy and reduce residential utility
					 bills.
(4) To ensure universal
					 service and energy conservation programs are operated in a cost-effective and
					 efficient manner.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter A - UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND ENERGY CONSERVATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS › Section 62.4 - Universal service and energy conservation plans

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Plan submission.
(1) Each NGDC shall submit to the Commission
					 for approval an updated universal service and energy conservation plan every 3
					 years beginning February 28, 2002, on a staggered schedule.
(2) The plan should cover the next 3-calendar
					 years.
(3) The plan should state
					 how it differs from the previously approved plan.
(4) The plan should include revisions based
					 on analysis of program experiences and evaluations.
(5) The Commission will act on the plans
					 within 90 days of the NGDC filing date.
(6) If the Commission rejects the plan, the
					 NGDC shall submit a revised plan pursuant to the order rejecting or directing
					 modification of the plan as previously filed. If the order rejecting the plan
					 does not state a timeline, the NGDC shall file its revised plan within 45 days
					 of the entry of the order.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter A - UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND ENERGY CONSERVATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS › Section 62.5 - Annual residential collection and universal service and energy conservation program reporting requirements

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) Each NGDC shall report annually to the
					 Commission on the degree to which universal service and energy conservation
					 programs within its service territory are available and appropriately funded.
					 Annual NGDC reports shall contain information on programs and collections for
					 the prior calendar year. Unless otherwise stated, the report shall be due April
					 1 each year, beginning April 1, 2003. When noted, the data shall be reported by
					 classification of accounts. Each NGDC's report shall contain the following
					 information:
(1)
Collection
					 reporting
. Collection reporting shall be categorized as follows:
(i) The total number of payment arrangements
					 and the total number of successful payment arrangements. To ensure that
					 successful payment arrangements are not overstated, NGDCs shall report on the
					 calendar year prior to the reporting year.
(ii) Annual collection operating expenses by
					 classification of accounts.
(iii)
					 The total dollar amount of the gross residential write-offs and total dollar
					 amount of the net residential write-offs, by classification of
					 accounts.
(iv) The total number of
					 residential customers by month for the 12 months covered by the report, by
					 classification of accounts.
(v) The
					 total dollar amount of annual residential revenues by classification of
					 accounts.
(vi) The total number of
					 residential accounts in arrears and on payment agreements by month for the 12
					 months covered by the report, by classification of accounts.
(vii) The total number of residential
					 accounts in arrears and not on payment agreements by month for the 12 months
					 covered by the report, by classification of accounts.
(viii) The total dollar amount of residential
					 accounts in arrears and on payment agreements by month for the 12 months
					 covered by the report, by classification of accounts.
(ix) The total dollar amount of residential
					 accounts in arrears and not on payment agreements by month for the 12 months
					 covered by the report, by classification of accounts.
(x) The total number of residential customers
					 who are payment troubled by month for the 12 months covered by the report, by
					 classification of accounts.
(xi)
					 The total number of terminations completed by month for the 12 months covered
					 by the report, by classification of accounts.
(xii) The total number of reconnections by
					 month for the 12 months covered by the report, by classification of
					 accounts.
(xiii) The total number
					 of low-income households. NGDCs may estimate this number using census data or
					 other information the NGDC finds appropriate.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter A - UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND ENERGY CONSERVATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS › Section 62.6 - Evaluation reporting requirements

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) Each NGDC shall select, after conferring
					 with the Commission's Bureau of Consumer Services, an independent third-party
					 to conduct an impact evaluation of its universal service and energy
					 conservation programs and to provide a report of findings and recommendations
					 to the Commission and NGDC.
(b) The
					 first impact evaluation will be due beginning August 1, 2004, on a staggered
					 schedule. Subsequent evaluation reports shall be presented to the NGDC and the
					 Commission at no more than 6-year intervals.
(c) To ensure an independent evaluation,
					 neither the NGDC nor the Commission shall exercise control over recommendations
					 contained in the independent evaluation report. The NGDCs may provide the
					 Commission with a companion report that expresses where they agree or disagree
					 with independent evaluation report content or recommendations.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
													62.7 (relating to NGDCs with less
						  than 100,000 residential accounts); and 52 Pa. Code §
													69.265 (relating to CAP design
						  elements).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter A - UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND ENERGY CONSERVATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS › Section 62.7 - NGDCs with less than 100,000 residential accounts

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) Beginning June 1, 2003, each NGDC with
					 less than 100,000 accounts shall report to the Commission every 3 years the
					 following information in lieu of the requirements in §
											§
											62.4-62.6 (relating to universal
					 service and energy conservation plans; annual residential collection and
					 universal service and energy conservation program reporting requirements; and
					 evaluation reporting requirements):
(1) The
					 universal service and energy conservation plan.
(2) Expenses associated with low-income
					 customers.
(3) A description of the
					 universal service and energy conservation services provided to low-income
					 residential customers.
(4) Number
					 of services or benefits provided to low-income residential customers.
(5) Dollar amount of services or benefits
					 provided to low-income residential customers.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter A - UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND ENERGY CONSERVATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS › Section 62.8 - Public information

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The Commission will annually produce a summary report on
						the universal service performance of each NGDC using the statistics collected
						as a result of these reporting requirements. The reports will be public
						information. The Commission will provide the reports to any interested party
						and post the reports on the Commission's Internet website.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter B - REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALITY OF SERVICE BENCHMARKS AND STANDARDS › Section 62.31 - Purpose

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) This subchapter
					 establishes a means by which the Commission can develop uniform measurement and
					 reporting to assure that the customer services of the NGDCs that are required
					 to file restructuring plans under the act are maintained, at a minimum, at the
					 same level of quality under retail competition.
(b) This subchapter sets forth uniform
					 measurements and reporting requirements for monitoring the level of the
					 customer service performance of two separate classes of these NGDCs:
(1) NGDCs serving more than 100,000
					 residential customers.
(2) Those
					 NGDCs serving less that 100,000 residential customers.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter B - REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALITY OF SERVICE BENCHMARKS AND STANDARDS › Section 62.33 - Reporting requirements

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Report deadlines.
(1) Unless
					 otherwise specified in this subchapter, each covered NGDC shall file its first
					 report with the Commission on or before August 1, 2001. The August report shall
					 contain data, reported by month, from the first 6 months of the calendar year,
					 as well as a 6-month cumulative average.
(2) Each NGDC shall file its second report on
					 or before February 1, 2002. The February report shall contain data, reported by
					 month, from the second 6 months of the year as well as a 6-month cumulative
					 average and a 12-month cumulative average for the preceding calendar
					 year.
(3) Thereafter, the NGDCs
					 shall file reports annually with the Secretary of the Commission on or before
					 February 1.
(4) Each report shall
					 contain data, reported by month, as well as a 12-month cumulative average for
					 the preceding calendar year.
(5)
					 Each report shall include the name and telephone number of the utility contact
					 person responsible for the report.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter B - REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALITY OF SERVICE BENCHMARKS AND STANDARDS › Section 62.34 - Customer surveys

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Each NGDC shall report to the Commission the results of
						telephone transaction surveys of customers who have had interactions with the
						NGDC.
(1)
Purpose.
The purpose of the transaction surveys shall be to assess the customer
					 perception regarding the most recent interaction with the NGDC. Survey
					 questions shall measure access to the utility, employe courtesy, employe
					 knowledge, promptness of NGDC response or visit, timeliness of the NGDC
					 response or visit and satisfaction with the handling of the
					 interaction.
(2)
Questions.
The transaction survey questions shall specifically
					 address the circumstances that generated the most recent transaction.
					 Interaction categories shall include the following:
(i) Credit/collection.
(ii) Billing.
(iii) Reliability and safety.
(iv) Service installation and
					 application.
(v) Service
					 disconnection.
(vi) Other similar
					 interactions.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter B - REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALITY OF SERVICE BENCHMARKS AND STANDARDS › Section 62.35 - NGDCs with fewer than 100,000 residential accounts

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Beginning September 1, 2002, each NGDC with less than
						100,000 residential accounts shall report to the Commission the following
						information in lieu of §
											§
											62.33 and
						62.34 (relating to reporting
						requirements; and customer surveys):
(1) The results of a mail survey of a sample
					 of the NGDC customers who have had interactions with a representative of the
					 NGDC. The survey sample shall consist of every 10th consumer who has contacted
					 the company.
(2) The mail survey
					 shall address the circumstances that generated the customer/company
					 transaction
(3) Each NGDC shall use
					 the same mail survey questionnaire which shall be developed by the BCS with
					 advice from the relevant NGDCs. The mail survey questions shall measure
					 customer perceptions regarding:
(i) Access to
					 the utility.
(ii) Employe
					 courtesy.
(iii) Employe
					 knowledge.
(iv) Promptness and
					 timeliness of the utility representative response.
(v) Satisfaction with the NGDC
					 representative's handling of the interaction.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter B - REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALITY OF SERVICE BENCHMARKS AND STANDARDS › Section 62.36 - Informal complaints to the BCS

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) The BCS will review and analyze
					 residential informal consumer complaints and payment arrangement requests filed
					 with the Commission and will report the justified informal consumer complaint
					 rate and the justified payment arrangement request rate for each NGDC with more
					 than 100,00 residential accounts to the Commission on an annual
					 basis.
(b) The BCS will report to
					 the Commission the number of informally verified infractions of applicable
					 statutes and regulations relating to the treatment of residential accounts by
					 each NGDC with more than 100,000 residential accounts. The BCS will calculate
					 and report to the Commission an infraction rate for each NGDC with more than
					 100,000 residential accounts.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter B - REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALITY OF SERVICE BENCHMARKS AND STANDARDS › Section 62.37 - Public information

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The Commission will annually produce a summary report on
						the customer service performance of each covered NGDC using the statistics
						collected as a result of these reporting requirements. The reports will be
						public information. The Commission will provide the reports to any interested
						party and post the reports on the Commission's World Wide
						Website.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter C - CUSTOMER INFORMATION DISCLOSURE › Section 62.71 - Purpose

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) The purpose of
					 this subchapter is to require that all natural gas providers enable customers
					 to make informed choices regarding the purchase of all natural gas services
					 offered by providing adequate and accurate customer information. Information
					 shall be provided to customers in an understandable format that enables
					 customers to compare prices and services on a uniform basis.
(b) As to the scope of this subchapter, this
					 section and §
											§
											62.72 and
					 62.73 (relating to definitions;
					 and standards and pricing practices for retail natural gas service) apply to
					 all customers, including large commercial and industrial customers. Sections
					 62.74-62.79 apply only to residential
					 and small business customers, as defined in §
											62.72. Section
					 62.80 (relating to common natural
					 gas competition terms) applies as described in §
											62.73(4).
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
													62.224 (relating to POR
						  programs).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter C - CUSTOMER INFORMATION DISCLOSURE › Section 62.73 - Standards and pricing practice for retail natural gas service

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
In furnishing retail natural gas service, NGDCs and NGSs
						or any entity that otherwise provides retail natural gas service information to
						customers, shall comply with the following:
(1) Use common and consistent terminology in
					 customer communications, including marketing, billing and disclosure statements
					 and use the standard pricing unit of the NGDC. The three standard pricing units
					 that are currently used by NGDCs are ccfs, Mcfs and Dths.
(2) Use the term NGDC as described in §
											62.72 (relating to definitions) as
					 a standard term.
(3) Use the terms
					 as defined in the Commission's "Consumer's Dictionary for Natural Gas
					 Competition" (Dictionary), maintained on file in the Commission's Office of
					 Communications. NGDCs shall provide this Dictionary upon customer request, and
					 the "Common Natural Gas Competition Terms" as described in paragraph (4) shall
					 indicate the phone number and address of the NGDC to request the
					 Dictionary.
(4) Each NGDC will
					 distribute the "Common Natural Gas Competition Terms," found in
					 62.80
					 (relating to common natural gas competition terms), as part of its consumer
					 education program, as a bill insert or in a separate mailing once per year for
					 the life of the NGDC's choice education campaign, which is mandated in 66
					 Pa.C.S.
					 2206(d)
					 (relating to consumer protections and customer service).
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
													62.71 (relating to purpose); and
						  52 Pa. Code §
													62.224 (relating to POR
						  programs).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter C - CUSTOMER INFORMATION DISCLOSURE › Section 62.75 - Disclosure statement for residential and small business customers

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) The disclosure
					 statement prices must reflect the marketed prices and the billed
					 prices.
(b) The NGS shall provide
					 the customer a written disclosure statement containing the terms of service at
					 no charge whenever:
(1) The customer requests
					 that an NGS initiate service.
(2)
					 The NGS proposes to change the terms of service.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter C - CUSTOMER INFORMATION DISCLOSURE › Section 62.76 - Request for information

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) Natural
					 gas providers shall respond to reasonable customer requests for efficiency
					 information by indicating that these materials are available upon request from
					 the Commission or the NGDC.
(b)
					 Residential and small business customers, upon request from the customer, are
					 entitled to receive at no charge and at least once a year, historical billing
					 data from whomever reads the meter for billing purposes. If the customer is
					 receiving competitive natural gas supply service from an NGS, and receiving a
					 separate bill from the NGS, the NGS will provide dollar amounts billed.
(1) The NGDC is only obligated to provide
					 information that is readily available in its billing system.
(2) The historical billing data shall be
					 conveyed in terms of the NGDC's standard pricing unit, for example, ccfs, Mcfs
					 or Dths, and associated charges for the current billing period and for the year
					 preceding the current billing period.
(3) The historical billing data will be
					 updated with each billing cycle.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter C - CUSTOMER INFORMATION DISCLOSURE › Section 62.77 - Marketing/sales activities

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) An
					 NGS's marketed prices shall reflect disclosure statement prices and billed
					 prices and shall be presented in the standard pricing unit of the
					 NGDC.
(b) An NGS's marketing
					 materials that offer terms of service in a disclosure statement for acceptance
					 by customers shall include prices, as follows:
(1) If using a fixed price, the NGS shall
					 show charges for supply service in the standard pricing unit of the NGDC at
					 monthly usage levels equivalent to 15, 80 and 120 ccfs of natural gas in a
					 table format.
(2) If using a
					 variable price mechanism, the NGS shall factor in all costs associated with the
					 rate charged to the customer for supply service, and show the starting price
					 and ceiling price for supply service, if the ceiling price is applicable, in
					 the standard pricing unit of the NGDC at monthly usage levels equivalent to 15,
					 80 and 120 ccfs of natural gas, in a table format.
(3) The NGS shall note the effective date of
					 the prices shown in the table provided under paragraph (1) or (2) and if the
					 prices are a limited time offer, the NGS shall note the expiration date of the
					 limited time offer.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter C - CUSTOMER INFORMATION DISCLOSURE › Section 62.78 - Privacy of customer information

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
					 An NGDC or NGS may not release private customer information to a third party
					 unless the customer has been notified of this intent and has been given a
					 convenient method, consistent with subsection (b), of notifying the entity of
					 the customer's desire to restrict the release of the private information. If
					 the customer does not choose to restrict the release of one of the two
					 restriction options in paragraphs (1) and (2), all of the customer's private
					 information may be released to a third party except for the telephone number.
					 If the customer chooses to restrict the release of private customer
					 information, the customer may restrict information released according to one of
					 the following two restriction options:
(1)
					 Restrict the release of only the customer's historical billing data in the
					 NGDC's standard pricing unit, that is, as denominated by the NGDC.
(2) Restrict the release of all private
					 customer information including name, billing address, service address, rate
					 class, rate subclass, account number and historical billing data in the NGDC's
					 standard pricing unit, that is, as denominated by the NGDC.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter C - CUSTOMER INFORMATION DISCLOSURE › Section 62.79 - Complaint handling process

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
NGDCs and NGSs shall disclose to customers the following
						with respect to the rights of customers in the handling and resolution of
						complaints:
(1) Residential and small
					 business customers shall directly contact the party responsible for the service
					 in question as an initial step for complaint and problem resolution. If the
					 customer mistakenly contacts the wrong entity, the customer shall be promptly
					 referred to the appropriate contact. In the event of an unexpected loss of firm
					 gas service, the customer shall be directed to the NGDC.
(2) Complaints that pertain to Chapter 56
					 (relating to standards and billing practices for residential utility service)
					 matters shall be handled and resolved in accordance with the standards in
					 Chapter 56.
(3) NGDCs and NGSs
					 shall give the Commission access to disclosure statements, billing and other
					 customer information resources for compliance reviews as deemed necessary by
					 the Commission. When complaints arise and are brought before the Commission for
					 resolution, the obligation of the NGS shall be extended to the provision of
					 pricing information.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
													62.71 (relating to purpose); 52
						  Pa. Code §
													62.224 (relating to POR programs);
						  and 52 Pa. Code §
													111.13 (relating to customer
						  complaints).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter C - CUSTOMER INFORMATION DISCLOSURE › Section 62.80 - Common natural gas competition terms

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The following are common natural gas competition
						terms:
Burner tip
-The point at which natural
						gas is used such as a furnace, water heater or range.
Ccf
-100 cubic feet of gas. This is a
						measure of gas usage.
Chapter 56
-The PUC regulations that
						govern metering, billing and collections for residential gas and electricity
						service.
City gate
-The point where interstate
						pipelines deliver gas into NGDC facilities.
Commodity charges
-The charges for basic
						gas supply service which is sold either by volume (ccf or Mcf) or heating value
						(dekatherms).
Customer charge
-A monthly charge to
						cover NGDC costs such as maintaining the gas lines, meter reading and
						billing.
Distribution charges
-The charges for the
						delivery of natural gas from the point of receipt into the NGDC's
						system.
Dth (Dekatherm)
-A measure of the heat
						content value of gas. Gas usage is determined by multiplying the Mcf used by
						the heat content value of the gas.
Gas cost adjustment charges
-The amount
						billed or credited each month to account for differences between projected and
						actual gas supply costs of the NGDC.
Mcf
-1,000 cubic feet of gas. This is a
						measure of gas usage.
NGDC-
Natural gas distribution
						company
-A state regulated natural gas utility which owns the gas lines
						and equipment necessary to deliver natural gas to the consumer. (Formerly
						called local distribution company)
NGS-Natural gas supplier
-An entity that
						sells or arranges to sell natural gas to customers that is delivered through
						the distribution lines of an NGDC.
PUC-Pennsylvania Public Utility
						Commission
-The State regulatory agency that provides oversight, policy
						guidance and direction to public utilities and suppliers.
Price to compare
-The dollar amount
						charged by the NGDC used by consumers to compare prices and potential savings
						with other NGSs.
Storage
-Placing natural gas into an
						underground facility for removal and use at a later date.
Transmission
-The moving of natural gas
						through the interstate pipeline system for delivery to the
						NGDC.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
													62.71 (relating to purpose); 52
						  Pa. Code §
													62.74 (relating to bill format for
						  residential and small business customers); 52 Pa. Code §
													62.75 (relating to disclosure
						  statement for residential and small business customers); 52 Pa. Code §
													62.222 (relating to definitions);
						  and 52 Pa. Code §
													62.224 (relating to POR
						  programs).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter C - CUSTOMER INFORMATION DISCLOSURE › Section 62.81 - Notice of contract expiration or change in terms for residential and small business customers

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) An NGS
					 shall provide the following notices to customers prior to the expiration of a
					 fixed duration contract or prior to a change in contract terms:
(1) An initial notice shall be provided to
					 each affected customer 60 to 75 days prior to the expiration date of the fixed
					 duration contract or the effective date of the proposed change in terms. For a
					 customer who has elected to receive electronic communications from the NGS, the
					 notice shall be transmitted in the manner chosen by the customer. The initial
					 notice must include:
(i) A general description
					 of the proposed change in terms of service.
(ii) The date a change shall be effective or
					 when the fixed duration contract is to expire.
(iii) An explanation of why a change in
					 contract terms is necessary.
(iv) A
					 statement indicating when a follow-up options notice shall be issued with
					 details regarding the proposed change.
(v) A statement explaining that the options
					 notice must discuss the customer's options to the proposed change in terms of
					 service or expiring fixed duration contract.
(vi) A statement indicating whether the
					 existing fixed duration contract has a cancellation fee and an explanation of
					 the fee amount and how to avoid the cancellation fee, including notice of the
					 date when the customer can choose a different product from the customer's
					 existing NGS, choose an alternative NGS or return to the supplier of last
					 resort.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter D - LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR NATURAL GAS SUPPLIERS › Section 62.102 - Scope of licensure

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) An NGS,
					 including an aggregator or a broker, may not engage in marketing, or may not
					 offer to provide, or provide natural gas supply services to retail customers
					 until it is granted a license by the Commission.
(b) An NGDC acting within its certified
					 service territory as a supplier of last resort is not required to obtain a
					 license.
(c) The owners/operators
					 of a building or facility that manage the internal distribution system
					 supplying a building or facility and supply natural gas and other related
					 services to occupants of the building or the facility where the
					 owners/operators, and not the occupants, are the direct purchasers of the
					 natural gas supply services are not required to obtain a license.
(d) A nontraditional marketer is not required
					 to obtain a license. The licensed NGS is responsible for violations of 66
					 Pa.C.S. (relating to Public Utility Code), and applicable regulations of this
					 part, orders and directives committed by the nontraditional marketer and
					 fraudulent, deceptive or other unlawful marketing or billing acts committed by
					 the nontraditional marketer.
(e) A
					 nonselling marketer under contract to more than one licensed NGS is required to
					 obtain a license.
(f) A nonselling
					 marketer under contract to only one licensed NGS is not required to obtain a
					 license. The licensed NGS is responsible for violations of 66 Pa.C.S. and
					 applicable regulations of this part, orders and directives committed by the
					 nonselling marketer and fraudulent, deceptive or other unlawful marketing or
					 billing acts committed by the nonselling marketer.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 52 - PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part I - Public Utility Commission › Subpart C - Fixed Service Utilities › Chapter 62 - NATURAL GAS SUPPLY CUSTOMER CHOICE › Subchapter D - LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR NATURAL GAS SUPPLIERS › Section 62.103 - Application process

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) An
					 application for a license shall be made on the form provided by the Commission.
					 A copy of the application can be obtained from the Commission's Secretary. The
					 application form is also available on the Commission's Internet web site. An
					 application shall be verified by an oath or affirmation as required in §
											1.36 (relating to verification).
					 See section 2208(b) of the act (relating to requirements for natural gas
					 suppliers).
(b) An original of the
					 completed application and supporting attachments shall be filed. An application
					 for a license shall be accompanied by the application fee as established in
					 §
											1.43 (relating to schedule of fees
					 payable to the Commission).
(c)
					 Subject to subsection (e), copies of the completed applications with supporting
					 documentation shall be served on the following:
(1) The Office of Consumer
					 Advocate.
(2) The Office of Small
					 Business Advocate.
(3) The Office
					 of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection.
(4) The Department of Revenue.
(5) Each NGDC in whose service territory the
					 applicant intends to provide natural gas supply services.