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 A - PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS FOR UTILITIES AND CUSTOMERS SUBJECT TO CHAPTER 14 OF THE PUBLIC UTILITY CODE › Section 56.1 - Statement of purpose and policy

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
					 This chapter establishes and enforces 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 while eliminating opportunities for customers capable
					 of paying to avoid the timely payment of public utility bills and protecting
					 against rate increases for timely paying customers resulting from other
					 customers' delinquencies. Public utilities shall utilize the procedures in this
					 chapter to effectively manage customer accounts to prevent the accumulation of
					 large, unmanageable arrearages. 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.
(b) This subchapter and
					 Subchapters B-K apply to electric distribution utilities, natural gas
					 distribution utilities, wastewater utilities, steam heat utilities, small
					 natural gas utilities and water distribution utilities. Subchapters L-V apply
					 to all customers who have been granted protection from abuse orders 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.
The provisions of this §
													56.1 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 B - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › BILLING › Section 56.11 - 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 requirements:
(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 §
													§ 56.91-56.98.
(4) The electronic bill must include 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 to 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 B - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › BILLING › Section 56.12 - 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 B - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › BILLING › Section 56.13 - 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 §
												56.83(3)
						  (relating to unauthorized termination of service).
The provisions of this §
														56.13 amended 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 B - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › BILLING › Section 56.14 - 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 B - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › BILLING › Section 56.16 - 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. After a reasonable attempt to
						obtain meter access, if the public utility is not 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 §
												56.91 (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 §
												§
												56.91-56.99 may continue at the new
						location.
(1) When notifications set forth
						under §
													56.91 and §
													56.95 (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 §
													§
													56.141-56.143 (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 B - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › PAYMENTS › Section 56.21 - 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 B - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › PAYMENTS › Section 56.22 - 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 §
												56.21 (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 Commission may only order a waiver of
						late payment charges levied by a public utility as a result of a delinquent
						account for customers with a gross monthly household income not exceeding 150%
						of the Federal poverty level. See
						66 Pa.C.S. §
													1409
						(relating to late payment charge waiver).
The provisions of this §
														56.22 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 §
														56.15 (relating to billing
							 information); and 52 Pa. Code §
														56.181 (relating to duties of
							 parties; disputing party's duty to pay undisputed portion of bills; public
							 utility's duty to pay interest whenever overpayment
							 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 B - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › PAYMENTS › Section 56.23 - 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 §
														56.23 amended under the Public
							 Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															331,
							 501,
							 504,
							 1301,
							 1305,
							 1401-1419,
							 1501,
							 1504 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 B - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › PAYMENTS › Section 56.24 - 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 a payment arrangement, 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 §
														56.24 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 B - BILLING AND PAYMENT STANDARDS › PAYMENTS › Section 56.25 - 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 to prevent access to customer account records by persons who are
						not properly authorized to have access.
The provisions of this §
														56.25 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 C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › PROCEDURES FOR APPLICANTS › Section 56.31 - 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 §
														56.31 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 C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › PROCEDURES FOR APPLICANTS › Section 56.32 - Security and cash deposits

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) In
						addition to the right to collect a deposit under any Commission regulation or
						order, the public utility may require a cash deposit, payable during a 90-day
						period in accordance with §
												56.38 (relating to payment period
						for deposits by applicants), in an amount that is equal to 1/6 of an
						applicant's estimated annual bill at the time the public utility determines a
						deposit is required, based upon the following:
(1) An applicant who previously received
						public utility distribution services and was a customer of the public utility
						and whose service was terminated for any of the following reasons:
(i) Nonpayment of an undisputed delinquent
						account.
(ii) Failure to complete
						payment of a deposit, provide a guarantee or establish credit.
(iii) Failure to permit access to meters,
						service connections or other property of the public utility for the purpose of
						replacement, maintenance, repair or meter reading.
(iv) Unauthorized use of the public utility
						service delivered on or about the affected dwelling.
(v) Failure to comply with the material terms
						of a payment arrangement.
(vi)
						Fraud or material misrepresentation of identity for the purpose of obtaining
						public utility service.
(vii)
						Tampering with meters, including bypassing a meter or removal of an AMR device
						or other public utility equipment.
(viii) Violating tariff provisions on file
						with the Commission so as to endanger the safety of a person or the integrity
						of the delivery system of the public utility.
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 C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › PROCEDURES FOR APPLICANTS › Section 56.33 - Third-party guarantors

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
If an applicant does not establish credit under §
												56.32 (relating to security and
						  cash deposits), the public utility shall provide residential service when one
						  of the following requirements is satisfied:
(1)
Cash deposit.
The
						applicant posts a cash deposit.
(2)
Third-party guarantor.
This section does not preclude an
						applicant from furnishing a third-party guarantor in lieu of a cash deposit.
						The guaranty must be in writing and state the terms of the guaranty. The
						guarantor shall be responsible for all missed payments owed to the public
						utility. For the purposes of this section, the term "guarantor" means a
						third-party who has or can establish credit under §
												56.32.
The provisions of this §
														56.33 amended under the Public
							 Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															331,
							 501,
							 504-506,
							 1301,
							 1401-1419 and
							 1501.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
														56.36 (relating to written
							 procedures).
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 C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › PROCEDURES FOR APPLICANTS › Section 56.34 - Deposits for temporary service

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Deposits for applicants for temporary service may be
						  required in accordance with §
												53.82(1)
						  (relating to deposits).
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 C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › PROCEDURES FOR APPLICANTS › Section 56.35 - Payment of outstanding balance

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
						A public utility may require, as a condition of the furnishing of residential
						service to an applicant, the payment of any outstanding residential account
						with the public utility which accrued within the past 4 years for which the
						applicant is legally responsible and for which the applicant was billed
						properly.
(b) A public utility may
						not require, as a condition of the furnishing of residential service, payment
						for residential service previously furnished under an account in the name of a
						person other than the applicant, except as provided for in paragraphs (1) and
						(2).
(1) A public utility may require the
						payment of an outstanding balance or portion of an outstanding balance if the
						applicant resided at the property for which service is requested during the
						time the outstanding balance accrued and for the time the applicant resided
						there, not exceeding 4 years from the date of the service request. The 4-year
						limit does not apply if the balance includes amounts that the public utility
						was not aware of because of fraud or theft on the part of the
						applicant.
(2) A public utility may
						establish that an applicant previously resided at a property for which
						residential service is requested through the use of mortgage, deed or lease
						information, a commercially available consumer credit reporting service or
						other methods approved as valid by the Commission. Public utilities shall
						include in their tariffs filed with the Commission the methods, other than
						those specifically mentioned in this paragraph, used to determine the
						applicant's liability for any outstanding balance.
(3) Any outstanding residential account with
						the public utility may be amortized in accordance with §
													56.191 (relating to payment and
						timing).
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 C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › PROCEDURES FOR APPLICANTS › Section 56.37 - General rule

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Once an applicant's application for service is accepted
						  by the public utility, the public utility shall make a bona fide attempt to
						  provide service within 3 business days, provided that the applicant has met all
						  regulatory requirements. A bona fide attempt to provide service within 7
						  business days is permissible if street or sidewalk digging is required. A
						  longer time frame is permissible with the consent of the applicant. If the
						  investigation and determination of credit status is expected to take or in fact
						  takes longer than 3 business days commencing the date after the application is
						  made, the public utility shall provide service pending completion of the
						  investigation. If the public utility cannot provide service by the time frames
						  specified in this section, the public utility shall inform the customer of this
						  fact and provide a reasonable estimate of when service will be provided. These
						  requirements do not apply to new service installations and service extensions
						  that require the construction of facilities to provide the public utility
						  service.
The provisions of this §
														56.37 amended 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 C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › PROCEDURES FOR APPLICANTS › Section 56.38 - Payment period for deposits by applicants

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) The due date for payment of a deposit or
						any installment payment toward a deposit, other than an initial installment or
						a deposit required as a condition for the reconnection of service under §
												56.41(2)
						(relating to general rule) may not be less than 21 days from the date of
						mailing or service on the applicant of notification of the amount
						due.
(b) An applicant required by a
						public utility to pay a deposit under §
												56.32 (relating to security and
						cash deposits) or an applicant paying a deposit for the reconnection of service
						under §
												56.41(2) may be
						required by the public utility to pay 50% prior to, and as a condition of, the
						reconnection of service with 25% billed 30 days after reconnection of service
						and 25% billed 60 days after the reconnection of service. The public utility
						shall inform the applicant of the option to pay the deposit in the installments
						described in this subsection. If the applicant chooses to pay the deposit in
						installments, installment payments must be paid in full by the due date.
						Failure to pay an installment by the due date is grounds for termination of
						service as provided in §
												56.81 (relating to authorized
						termination of service). The applicant retains the option to pay the deposit
						amount in full before the due date regardless of any deposit installments
						previously paid.
The provisions of this §
														56.38 issued under the Public
							 Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															331,
							 501,
							 504,
							 1301,
							 1305,
							 1501 and
							 1504; amended under the
							 Public Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															501,
							 1301,
							 1401-1419,
							 1501 and
							 1509.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
														56.32 (relating to security and
							 cash deposits).
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 C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › PROCEDURES FOR EXISTING CUSTOMERS › Section 56.41 - General rule

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
A public utility may require an existing customer to
						  post a deposit to reestablish credit under the following circumstances:
(1)
Delinquent accounts.
Whenever a customer has been delinquent in the payment of any two consecutive
						bills or three or more bills within the preceding 12 months.
(i) Prior to requesting a deposit under this
						section, the public utility shall give the customer written notification of its
						intent to request a cash deposit if current and future bills continue to be
						paid after the due date.
(A) Notification must
						clearly indicate that a deposit is not required at this time but that if bills
						continue to be paid after the due date a deposit will be required.
(B) Notification may be mailed or delivered
						to the customer together with a bill for public utility service.
(C) Notification must set forth the address
						and phone number of the public utility office where complaints or questions may
						be registered.
(D) A subsequent
						request for deposit must clearly indicate that a customer should register any
						question or complaint about that matter prior to the date the deposit is due to
						avoid having service terminated pending resolution of a dispute. The request
						must also include the address and telephone number of the public utility office
						where questions or complaints may be registered.
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 C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › PROCEDURES FOR EXISTING CUSTOMERS › Section 56.43 - Reserved

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
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 C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › CASH DEPOSITS › Section 56.51 - Amount of cash deposit

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Applicants.
A public utility may require a cash deposit equal
						to 1/6 of the applicant's estimated annual bill calculated on the basis of the
						annual bill to the dwelling at which service is being requested for the prior
						12 months or, if unavailable, a similar dwelling in close proximity.
(b)
City natural gas
						operation.
A city natural gas distribution operation may require a
						cash deposit from an applicant with a household income no greater than 300% of
						the Federal poverty level in an amount not in excess of 1/12 of the applicant's
						estimated annual bill. A city natural gas operation may require a cash deposit
						from an applicant with a household income level above 300% of the Federal
						poverty level in the amount of 1/6 of the applicant's estimated annual bill. An
						estimated annual bill shall be calculated on the basis of the annual bill to
						the dwelling at which service is being requested for the prior 12 months or, if
						unavailable, a similar dwelling in close proximity.
(c)
Existing customers.
For
						an existing customer, the cash deposit may not exceed the estimated charges for
						service based on the prior consumption of that customer for the class of
						service involved for a period equal to one average billing period plus 1
						average month, not to exceed 4 months in the case of water utilities and 2
						months in the case of gas and electric utilities.
(d)
Adjustment of deposits.
The amount of a cash deposit may be adjusted at the request of the customer or
						the public utility whenever the character or degree of the usage of the
						customer has materially changed or when it is clearly established that the
						character or degree of service will materially change in the immediate
						future.
The provisions of this §
														56.51 amended 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 C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › CASH DEPOSITS › Section 56.53 - Deposit hold period and refund

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
						A public utility may hold a deposit until a timely payment history is
						established.
(b) A timely payment
						history is established when a customer has paid in full and on time for any 12
						consecutive months.
(c) At the end
						of the deposit holding period as established in subsection (a), the public
						utility shall deduct the outstanding balance from the deposit and return or
						credit any positive difference to the customer. At the option of the public
						utility, a cash deposit, including accrued interest, may be refunded in whole
						or in part, at any time earlier than the time stated in this section.
(d) If service is terminated before the end
						of the deposit holding period as established in subsection (a), the public
						utility shall deduct the outstanding balance from the deposit and return any
						positive difference to the customer within 60 days of the
						termination.
(e) If a customer
						becomes delinquent before the end of the deposit holding period as established
						in subsection (a), the public utility may deduct the outstanding balance from
						the deposit.
(f) A public utility
						shall refund a deposit, along with any applicable interest, within 60 days upon
						determining that the customer or applicant from whom a deposit was collected is
						not subject to a deposit under §
												56.32(e)
						(relating to security and cash deposits) or §
												56.41(4)
						(relating to general rule).
The provisions of this §
														56.53 amended under the Public
							 Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															501,
							 504-506,
							 1301,
							 1305,
							 1401-1419,
							 1501,
							 1504 and
							 1509.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
														56.55 (relating to periodic
							 review).
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 C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › CASH DEPOSITS › Section 56.54 - Reserved

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The provisions of this §
														56.54 amended under the Public
							 Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															331,
							 501,
							 504,
							 1301,
							 1305,
							 1501 and
							 1504; reserved under the
							 Public Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															1401-1419.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
														56.55 (relating to periodic
							 review).
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 C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › CASH DEPOSITS › Section 56.55 - Reserved

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The provisions of this §
														56.55 amended under the Public
							 Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															331,
							 501,
							 504,
							 1301,
							 1305,
							 1501 and
							 1504; reserved 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 C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › CASH DEPOSITS › Section 56.56 - Refund statement

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
If a cash deposit is applied or refunded, the public
						  utility shall mail or deliver to the customer a written statement showing the
						  amount of the original deposit plus accrued interest, the application of the
						  deposit to a bill which had previously accrued, the amount of unpaid bills
						  liquidated by the deposit and the remaining balance.
The provisions of this §
														56.56 amended under the Public
							 Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															331,
							 501,
							 504,
							 1301,
							 1305,
							 1401-1419,
							 1501 and
							 1504.
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 C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › CASH DEPOSITS › Section 56.57 - Interest rate

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The public utility shall accrue interest on the deposit
						  until it is returned or credited.
(1)
						Interest shall be computed at the simple annual interest rate determined by the
						Secretary of Revenue for interest on the underpayment of tax under section 806
						of The Fiscal Code (72 P.S. §
													806).
(2) The interest rate in effect when the
						deposit is required to be paid shall remain in effect until the date the
						deposit is refunded or credited, or December 31, whichever is later. A deposit
						initially accrues interest at the interest rate in effect at the time the
						deposit was required. This interest rate remains in effect until the end of the
						calendar year.
(3) On January 1 of
						each year, the new interest rate for that year will apply to the deposit. The
						new interest rate will be applied to the deposit for the calendar year starting
						January 1 until December 31 of that same year. Revised interest rates are
						calculated every subsequent January 1 and applied to the deposit until the
						deposit is refunded or applied to the account.
The provisions of this §
														56.57 amended under the Public
							 Utility Code,
							 66 Pa.C.S. §
															§
															331,
							 501,
							 504,
							 1301,
							 1305,
							 1401-1419,
							 1501,
							 1504,
							 1509 and
							 2911.
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 C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › CASH DEPOSITS › Section 56.58 - Application of interest

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Interest shall be paid to the customer or, at the
						  option of either the public utility or the customer, shall be applied to
						  service bills.
The provisions of this §
														56.58 amended 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 C - CREDIT AND DEPOSITS STANDARDS POLICY › CASH DEPOSITS › Section 56.61-56.65 - Reserved

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
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 D - INTERRUPTION AND DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE › Section 56.71 - Interruption of service

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
A public utility may temporarily interrupt service when
						necessary to effect repairs or maintenance; to eliminate an imminent threat to
						life, health, safety or substantial property damage; or for reasons of local,
						State or National emergency.
(1)
Interruption with prior notice.
When the public utility knows
					 in advance of the circumstances requiring the service interruption, prior
					 notice of the cause and expected duration of the interruption shall be given to
					 customers and occupants who may be affected.
(2)
Interruption without prior
					 notice.
When service is interrupted due to unforeseen circumstances,
					 notice of the cause and expected duration of the interruption shall be given as
					 soon as possible to customers and occupants who may be affected.
(3)
Notification procedures.
When customers and occupants are to be notified under this section, the public
					 utility shall take reasonable steps, such as personal contact, phone contact
					 and use of the mass media, to notify affected customers and occupants of the
					 cause and expected duration of the interruption.
(4)
Permissible duration.
Service may be interrupted for only the periods of time as are necessary to
					 protect the health and safety of the public, to protect property or to remedy
					 the situation which necessitated the interruption. Service shall be resumed as
					 soon as possible thereafter.
The provisions of this §
													56.71 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 §
													56.93 (relating to personal
						  contact); 52 Pa. Code §
													65.5 (relating to interruptions of
						  service); and 52 Pa. Code §
													69.1601 (relating to
						  general).
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 D - INTERRUPTION AND DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE › Section 56.72 - Discontinuance of service

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
A public utility may discontinue service without prior
						written notice under the following circumstances:
(1)
Customer's residence.
When a customer requests a discontinuance at the customer's residence, when the
					 customer and members of the customer's household are the only
					 occupants.
(2)
Other
					 premises or dwellings.
Other premises or dwellings as follows:
(i) When a customer requests discontinuance
					 at a dwelling other than the customer's residence or at a single meter
					 multifamily residence, whether or not the customer's residence but, in either
					 case, only under either of the following conditions:
(A) The customer states in writing that the
					 premises are unoccupied. The statement must be on a form conspicuously bearing
					 notice that information provided by the customer will be relied upon by the
					 Commission in administering a system of uniform service standards for public
					 utilities and that any false statements are punishable criminally. When the
					 customer fails to provide a notice, or when the customer has falsely stated the
					 premises are unoccupied, the customer shall be responsible for payment of
					 public utility bills until the public utility discontinues service.
(B) The occupants affected by the proposed
					 cessation inform the public utility orally or in writing of their consent to
					 the discontinuance.