reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 1 - Rules of Practice and Procedure (815-RICR-00-00-1) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-1.20 - Pre-Hearing Procedure

Current through June 14, 2024
A. General
1. It is the policy of the Division to
				  encourage the use of pre-hearing conferences in complex or multi-party
				  proceedings as a means of making more effective use of hearing time and to
				  otherwise aid in the disposition of the proceeding or the settlement
				  thereof.
2. The Division may, with
				  reasonable written notice, require that all parties attend a pre-hearing
				  conference for the purpose of formulating and simplifying the issues in the
				  proceeding or addressing other matters that may expedite orderly conduct and
				  disposition of the proceeding. Such matters may include but are not limited to:
a. details of the procedural
				  schedule;
b. the necessity or
				  desirability of amendments to the pleadings;
c. the possibility of obtaining admissions of
				  fact and documents which will avoid unnecessary proof;
d. limitations on the number of witnesses or
				  time allocated to particular witnesses or issues at the hearings;
e. procedures at the hearing;
f. the compilation of a stipulated list of
				  written testimony and exhibits to be admitted at the hearing;
g. the consideration of outstanding
				  motions;
h. the status of any
				  settlement negotiations and, if appropriate, identification of any interest in
				  and resources to support professional assistance therewith or other alternative
				  means of dispute resolution;
i.
				  agreements to modify the time for or method of transmitting and responding to
				  discovery requests and for service of other documents.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 1 - Rules of Practice and Procedure (815-RICR-00-00-1) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-1.21 - Discovery

Current through June 14, 2024
A. General
1. The Division favors prompt and complete
				  disclosure and exchange of information and encourages informal arrangements
				  amongst the parties for this exchange. Further, it is the Division's policy to
				  encourage the timely use of discovery as a means toward effective presentations
				  at hearing and avoidance of the use of cross-examination at hearing for
				  discovery purposes.
2. Techniques
				  of pre-hearing discovery permitted in state civil actions may be employed by
				  any party. Upon experiencing any difficulties in obtaining discovery, the
				  parties may seek relief from the Division by filing a proper motion.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 1 - Rules of Practice and Procedure (815-RICR-00-00-1) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-1.22 - Subpoenas

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Issuance
1. Subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses
				  or for the production of documentary evidence may be issued by any notary
				  public pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws §
											9-17-3 or by the Administrator or
				  Clerk pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws §
											39-1-15.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 1 - Rules of Practice and Procedure (815-RICR-00-00-1) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-1.23 - Hearings

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Public Hearings
1. Except as permitted or required by law, or
				  by order of the Hearing Officer with regard to matters exempt from disclosure
				  under the Access to Public Records Act, R.I. Gen. Laws §
											38-2-1, et seq., all hearings
				  shall be public. The Hearing Officer may, however, limit the number of
				  spectators and participants to the extent that safety and good order require.
				  The Hearing Officer may also effect or bar the admission of any person who
				  disrupts or threatens to disrupt a public hearing.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 1 - Rules of Practice and Procedure (815-RICR-00-00-1) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-1.24 - Witnesses

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Oral Examination
1. Witnesses shall be examined orally unless
				  the testimony is taken by deposition as provided in §
											1.21   of this Part, or
				  the facts are stipulated or testimony is submitted in prepared written form as
				  provided in §
											1.23(E)   of this Part. Witnesses whose testimony is to be
				  taken shall be sworn, or shall affirm, before their testimony shall be deemed
				  evidence in the proceeding or any questions are put to them.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 1 - Rules of Practice and Procedure (815-RICR-00-00-1) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-1.25 - Rules of Evidence - Official Notice

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Rules of
				  Evidence
1. Irrelevant, immaterial or unduly
				  repetitious evidence shall be excluded in all proceedings wherein evidence is
				  taken. While the rules of evidence as applied in civil cases in the Superior
				  Court of this state shall be followed to the extent practicable, the Division
				  shall not be bound by technical evidentiary rules. Evidence not otherwise
				  admissible may be submitted, unless precluded by statute, when necessary to
				  ascertain facts not reasonably susceptible of proof under the rules, if it is
				  of a type commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent persons in the conduct of
				  their affairs. The rules of privilege recognized by law shall apply. Objections
				  to evidentiary offers may be made and shall be noted in the record.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 1 - Rules of Practice and Procedure (815-RICR-00-00-1) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-1.26 - Transcripts

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Availability in Public Hearings
1. If a hearing is stenographically recorded
				  in accordance with §
											1.23(l)   of this Part, any party other than the
				  Division who requests and receives transcripts shall pay the specified costs to
				  the official reporter. If such receipt is earlier than the date on which the
				  Division would otherwise receive transcripts, the reporter shall deliver the
				  Division's copy to the Division on the earlier date.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 1 - Rules of Practice and Procedure (815-RICR-00-00-1) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-1.27 - Stipulations and Settlement Offers

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Stipulations
1. The parties may stipulate as to any
				  relevant matters of fact or the authenticity of any relevant documents. Such
				  stipulations may be received in evidence at a hearing, and when so received in
				  evidence at a hearing, shall be binding on the parties with respect to the
				  matters therein stipulated.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 1 - Rules of Practice and Procedure (815-RICR-00-00-1) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-1.28 - Briefs and Oral Argument

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Briefs and
				  Memoranda of Law
1. Unless requested by the
				  Hearing Officer, no briefs or memoranda of law shall be filed.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 1 - Rules of Practice and Procedure (815-RICR-00-00-1) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-1.29 - Reopening Proceedings

Current through June 14, 2024
A. By Parties
1. At any time after the conclusion of a
				  hearing in a proceeding, but before the issuance of a written order, any party
				  to the proceeding may, for good cause shown, move to reopen the proceedings for
				  the purpose of taking additional evidence. Copies of such motion shall be
				  served upon all parties or their attorneys of record, and shall set forth
				  clearly the facts claimed to constitute grounds requiring reopening of the
				  proceedings, including material changes of fact or of law alleged to have
				  occurred since the conclusion of the hearing, and shall in all other respects
				  conform to the applicable requirements of §§
											1.9  through  1.12   of this
				  Part, inclusive.
2. Within ten (10)
				  calendar days following the service of such motion, or such shorter or longer
				  time as the Hearing Officer shall order, any other party to the proceedings may
				  object or shall be deemed to have waived any objections to the granting of such
				  petition.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 1 - Rules of Practice and Procedure (815-RICR-00-00-1) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-1.30 - Division Orders

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Written Orders
1. The Administrator or the Administration
				  and Operations Officer will issue Division orders in writing in every
				  proceeding. The timeliness of applications for rehearing and notices of appeal
				  shall be calculated from the date the written order is issued.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 1 - Rules of Practice and Procedure (815-RICR-00-00-1) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-1.31 - Relief from Order

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Clerical
				  Mistakes
1. Clerical mistakes in orders or
				  other parts of the record and errors therein arising from oversight or omission
				  may be corrected by the Administrator at any time on his or her own initiative,
				  or on motion of any party and after such notice as the Administrator orders.
				  During the pendancy of an appeal, such mistakes may be so corrected before the
				  appeal is docketed in the Superior Court and thereafter, while the appeal is
				  pending, may be so corrected with leave of the Superior Court.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 1 - Rules of Practice and Procedure (815-RICR-00-00-1) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-1.32 - Judicial Review

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Appeal from
				  Division Orders
1. Any person aggrieved by a
				  written order of the Administrator may, within thirty (30) calendar days from
				  the date of such order, file a complaint with the Superior Court pursuant to
				  R.I. Gen. Laws §
											42-35-15.
2. If a motion for reconsideration is filed
				  in accordance with §
											1.31(D)   of this Part, computation of the time for
				  appeal runs as follows:
a. If the motion is
				  granted, from the date of the amended order
b. If the motion is denied, from the date of
				  the order denying reconsideration.
c. If the Division takes no action on the
				  motion for reconsideration, fourteen (14) calendar days after the filing of the
				  motion for reconsideration, in accordance with §
												1.31(E)(2)   of this
				  Part.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 2 - Access to Public Records (815-RICR-00-00-2) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-2.1 - Authority

Current through June 14, 2024
This Regulation is promulgated pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws
					 §§
										38-2-1, et seq. ("Access to Public
					 Records") and 42-35-2(a).
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 2 - Access to Public Records (815-RICR-00-00-2) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-2.2 - Purpose

Current through June 14, 2024
A. The Purposes of this Regulation are:
1. To establish a Regulation to implement
				  R.I. Gen. Laws §§
											38-2-1, et seq. and 42-35-2(a)
				  relating to access to public records maintained by the Division.
2. To identify and delineate categories of
				  records exempt from disclosure; and
3. To provide the public and Division
				  personnel with a Regulation that sets forth the rules and procedures applicable
				  to access public records maintained by the Division.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 2 - Access to Public Records (815-RICR-00-00-2) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-2.3 - Policy

Current through June 14, 2024
The Division recognizes both the public's right to access
					 public records and the individual's right to dignity and privacy. It is the
					 Division's policy to facilitate public access to all public records that may be
					 disclosed in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws §
										38-2-1, et seq. It is also the
					 policy of the Division to make all public records in the Division's possession
					 available for public inspection and copying consistent with applicable State or
					 federal law, unless otherwise prohibited by a court of competent
					 jurisdiction.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 2 - Access to Public Records (815-RICR-00-00-2) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-2.4 - Procedure for Requesting Public Records

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Except as
				  provided §
										2.5   of this Part, a written request to inspect or copy public
				  records should be sent to the Division's Clerk or, in the alternative, to the
				  Division's Department of Legal Services at the address listed above. Written
				  requests may be mailed, hand delivered, e-mailed or sent via facsimile. Hand
				  delivered requests may be made during the Division's regular business hours. It
				  is suggested, but not required, that requests be submitted on the form provided
				  by the Division, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, §
										2.9   of
				  this Part, and titled "Request to Inspect and/or Copy Public Records". In order
				  to assure that the Division is able to respond to the request as efficiently
				  and as completely as possible, the request should identify and describe the
				  records being requested with as such specificity as possible. A written record
				  of all requests will be maintained by the Division's Clerk.
B. If the description of records being
				  requested is not sufficient to allow the Division to identify and locate the
				  requested records, the Division will notify the person requesting such records
				  that additional information is needed in order to properly respond to the
				  request.
C. Upon receipt of a
				  request for records, the Division will mark on the face of a written request
				  the date the request was received. The Division will make every reasonable
				  effort to honor the request within ten (10) business days of receipt of the
				  written request.
D. If it appears
				  that the request can not be honored within ten (10) business days of receipt,
				  the Division will use its best efforts to notify the requester of the status of
				  the request within ten (10) business days. For good cause, the time to respond
				  to the request may be extended for a period not to exceed thirty (30) business
				  days, inclusive of the original ten (10) business days.
E. A written request is not required to be
				  submitted when the request is for any of the following:
1. documents prepared for or readily
				  available to the public;
2. rules
				  and written statements of policy or interpretations formulated, adopted, or
				  used by the agency; or
3. final
				  orders, decisions, and opinions.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 2 - Access to Public Records (815-RICR-00-00-2) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-2.5 - Hours of Inspections

Current through June 14, 2024
When a request is made to inspect public records (as
					 opposed to obtain copies), the requester will be advised when the records are
					 available and he/she can then make an appointment to inspect those documents at
					 the Division between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through
					 Friday. The time frame for the Division to respond to requests to inspect
					 public records is the same as the time frame applicable to responding to
					 requests for copies of public records as set forth above in §
										2.4   of this
					 Part.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 2 - Access to Public Records (815-RICR-00-00-2) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-2.6 - Fees

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Official publications which the Division
				  prepares in the discharge of its duties to inform the public on matters of
				  public interest will be furnished free of charge when available.
B. The Division will supply one (1) copy of
				  any of its Rules and Regulations to an individual requesting them free of
				  charge. Rules and Regulations of the Division are on file at the Office of the
				  Secretary of State and certified copies thereof may be obtained from that
				  office. Rules and Regulations of the Division are also available online from
				  the Secretary of State's website as well as the Division's website.
C. The Division charges a fee for copying
				  and/or search and retrieval of requested documents consistent with applicable
				  State law. The Division charges $0.15 per copied page; provided however, if the
				  response to the request consists of twenty (20) or fewer copied pages, no fee
				  will be charged. If the response to the request consists of more than twenty
				  (20) copied pages, there will be a charge of $0.15 for each page. The Division
				  will charge $15.00 per hour for the search and retrieval time required to
				  respond to a request, whether the request seeks copies of records or the right
				  to inspect records; provided however, there will be no charge for the first
				  hour of search and retrieval time. The Division will provide the requester with
				  an estimate of the copying costs and search and retrieval costs prior to
				  responding to the request. The Division however, will charge the actual fees
				  for the number of copies and the actual cost for search and retrieval time if
				  those are more or less than estimated. The Division reserves the right to
				  require a deposit of the estimated costs if the estimated costs are $50.00 or
				  more.
D. The cost of copying and
				  search and retrieval as provided in §
										2.6(C)   of this Part must be paid in
				  advance of or at the time of delivery or inspection of the requested
				  documents.
E. Division personnel
				  or, where applicable an outside copy service, will make copies of requested
				  records. The Division does not have a copy machine available for use by the
				  public to make copies.
F. The
				  Division may utilize the form attached hereto as Exhibit B ("Response to
				  Request to Inspect and/or Copy Public Records") §
										2.10   of this Part to
				  respond to a request; provided however, in some instances it may be appropriate
				  for the Division to write a letter addressed to the requester setting forth
				  such additional information as deemed appropriate under the
				  circumstances.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 2 - Access to Public Records (815-RICR-00-00-2) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-2.7 - Supervision of Inspections

Current through June 14, 2024
A. The inspection
				  of public records must be accomplished in a manner which will provide for
				  general supervision by authorized Division staff. This is necessary to prevent
				  the misplacement or unauthorized removal of records or any other action which
				  may impair the integrity of the public record.
B. The Division's Clerk shall have overall
				  responsibility for the security of the public record. However, the Division
				  Clerk may seek assistance from a staff member(s) to coordinate the functions
				  and responsibilities related to the copying and inspection of public
				  records.
C. All Division personnel
				  assisting in responding to requests for access to public records shall be made
				  aware by their supervisors, of the provisions of this regulation and the
				  procedures to be followed when an access to public records request is made.
				  Division personnel having any questions regarding the procedures to be followed
				  should direct inquiries to: The Division Clerk or the Division's Chief Legal
				  Counsel.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 2 - Access to Public Records (815-RICR-00-00-2) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-2.8 - Severability

Current through June 14, 2024
If any provision of this Regulation or the application
					 thereof to any individual or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity
					 shall not affect the provisions or application of the remaining portions of the
					 regulation which can be given effect. The provisions of these rules and
					 regulations are declared to be severable.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 2 - Access to Public Records (815-RICR-00-00-2) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-2.9 - Exhibit A

Current through June 14, 2024
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Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 2 - Access to Public Records (815-RICR-00-00-2) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-2.10 - Exhibit B

Current through June 14, 2024
Click here to view
					 image
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Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 3 - Digital Filings and Website Information Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Section 39-1-18 (815-RICR-00-00-3) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-3.1 - Introduction

Current through June 14, 2024
A. In 2002 a new law was enacted requiring
				  that all filings made to the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers
				  ("Division") or the Public Utilities Commission ("Commission") be provided
				  digitally in a manner established by the Division (R.I. Gen. laws §
										39-1-18(b)). In
				  order to support the ability of the public and interested parties to stay
				  informed of the activities of the Commission and the Division, this same new
				  law also requires the Division to maintain a site on the Internet through which
				  the public may access the following information:
1. notices of public hearings;
2. all filings that are available in digital
				  format and that are not subject to protective orders;
3. all orders, rules and regulations of the
				  Commission or Administrator;
4.
				  announcements of, agendas for, and minutes of open meetings;
5. a calendar of all forthcoming open
				  meetings and hearings;
6. current
				  tariffs of all public utilities who are subject to assessment pursuant to R.I.
				  Gen. Laws §
											39-1-23; provided, however, that
				  the Division may require any public utility with extensive tariffs to maintain
				  a website and provide access to those tariffs via a link from the Division's
				  website;
7. a listing of all public
				  utilities and Nonregulated power producers, together with consumer contact
				  information for each;
8. consumer
				  information on billing dispute resolution, retail access, conservation, and
				  consumer assistance programs;
9.
				  demand side management programs available to residential, commercial and
				  industrial customers;
10. other
				  information as the Division deems relevant and useful to the public (R.I. Gen.
				  Laws §
											39-1-18(c)).
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 3 - Digital Filings and Website Information Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Section 39-1-18 (815-RICR-00-00-3) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-3.2 - Definitions

Current through June 14, 2024
A. "Administrator" means the administrator of
				  the Division as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws §
										39-1-2(1).
B. "CATV company" means a Community Antenna
				  Television System as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws §
										39-19-1.
C. "Commission" means the Rhode Island Public
				  Utilities Commission as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws §
										39-1-2(5).
D. "Division" means the Rhode Island Division
				  of Public Utilities and Carriers as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws §
										39-1-2(11).
E. "Filing" means any application, petition
				  or tariff (including related supporting documents), filed by a public utility
				  or a CATV company, with either the Division or the Commission, which seeks
1. approval for a change in its rates, tolls
				  or charges; or
2. authority to
				  reduce existing services; or
3.
				  any other document not specifically identified above, which the Commission or
				  the Division deem to be of significant public interest.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 3 - Digital Filings and Website Information Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Section 39-1-18 (815-RICR-00-00-3) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-3.3 - Digital Filing Requirements

Current through June 14, 2024
A. All public
				  utilities and CATV companies making a filing with the Commission or Division
				  must include along with the "hard" original and "hard" copies required under
				  the Commission's and the Division's respective Rules of Practice and Procedure,
				  a digital or electronic copy imprinted on an appropriate "floppy", "zip" or
				  "computer" disk; or on an attachment to an electronic mail directed to the
				  Division or Commission Clerk; or if approved by the Division or Commission
				  Clerk, any other conventional electronic storage system that may currently be
				  in use or may succeed the conventional electronic storage systems that are
				  currently available. Public utilities and CATV companies may seek an exemption
				  from this requirement for extensive non-text type items (e.g., drawings and
				  figures), or for items that predate existing digital processes. Requests for
				  exemptions shall be directed to the Division/ Commission Clerk who will
				  determine if the request for an exemption is reasonable. If the Clerk denies a
				  request, relief may subsequently be requested from the Commission, if a
				  Commission docket, or from the Division's Administrator, if a Division
				  docket.
B. All digital or
				  electronic copies must be configured in "Word" and/or "PDF" formats or, if
				  approved by the Division or Commission Clerk, other conventional software
				  formats that may currently be in use or may succeed the conventional software
				  formats that are currently available.
C. All digital or electronic copies must be
				  configured in "Word" and/or "PDF" formats or, if approved by the Division or
				  Commission Clerk, other conventional software formats that may currently be in
				  use or may succeed the conventional software formats that are currently
				  available.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 3 - Digital Filings and Website Information Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Section 39-1-18 (815-RICR-00-00-3) › Section 815-RICR-00-00-3.5 - Effective Date

Current through June 14, 2024
Adopted as rules and regulations of the Rhode Island
					 Division of Public Utilities and Carriers on August 13, 2003, for effect on
					 September 1, 2003.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 5 - Standards of Acceptable Performance for Emergency Preparation and Restoration of Electric Distribution and gas Distribution Companies › Section 815-RICR-00-00-5.1 - Purpose

Current through June 14, 2024
A. It is the purpose of these rules to
				  establish standards of acceptable performance for emergency preparation and
				  restoration of service for investor-owned electric distribution and
				  investor-owned gas distribution companies.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 5 - Standards of Acceptable Performance for Emergency Preparation and Restoration of Electric Distribution and gas Distribution Companies › Section 815-RICR-00-00-5.2 - Authority

Current through June 14, 2024
A. These rules are issued pursuant to the
				  authority granted by R.I. Gen. Laws §
										39-2-27, and shall apply to any
				  person, firm, corporation, or other entity now or hereafter engaged as an
				  investor-owned public utility in the business of furnishing electric
				  distribution services and/or natural gas distribution services within the State
				  of Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 5 - Standards of Acceptable Performance for Emergency Preparation and Restoration of Electric Distribution and gas Distribution Companies › Section 815-RICR-00-00-5.3 - Incorporated Materials

Current through June 14, 2024
A. These
				  regulations hereby adopt and incorporate  49 CFR Part 192 : Transportation of
				  Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards by
				  reference, not including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to
				  the extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with these
				  regulations.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 5 - Standards of Acceptable Performance for Emergency Preparation and Restoration of Electric Distribution and gas Distribution Companies › Section 815-RICR-00-00-5.4 - Definitions

Current through June 14, 2024
A. "Commission" means the Public Utilities
				  Commission.
B. "Division" means the
				  Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers.
C. "Emergency Event" means an event where
				  widespread outages or Service Interruptions have occurred in the service area
				  of a Public Utility due to storms or other causes beyond the control of the
				  Public Utility that is classified as a Type 1, 2, or 3 event under the Public
				  Utility's Emergency Response Plan.
D. "Emergency Response Plan" or "ERP" means a
				  Public Utility's plan which prepares the Public Utility to restore service in a
				  safe and reasonably prompt manner in the case of an Emergency Event, as
				  required by R.I. Gen. Laws §
										39-2-27.
E. "Investor-Owned Public Utility" refers to
				  a corporation owned by investors that is engaged in distributing either
				  electricity or natural gas, or both, to more than one retail customer in the
				  state.
F. "Life Support Customers",
				  also known as medical priority customers, means those customers who have
				  provided documentation to the electric distribution Public Utility of their
				  medical conditions necessitating electric service.
G. "Municipal Liaison" means a liaison
				  designated by a Public Utility to communicate with a municipality during an
				  Emergency Event.
H. "Mutual
				  Assistance Agreement" means an agreement among a Public Utility and independent
				  companies, including other utilities, both inside and outside the State of
				  Rhode Island, that details specifics for obtaining or lending resources,
				  including, but not limited to, material, equipment, and trained personnel, when
				  internal resources are not sufficient to ensure the safe and reasonably prompt
				  restoration of service during and after an Emergency Event.
I. "Public Utility" refers to any
				  investor-owned electric distribution company or investor-owned gas distribution
				  company as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws §
										39-1-2 (20).
J. "Service Interruption" means the loss of
				  service to a widespread number of customers connected to a Public Utility's
				  distribution system.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 5 - Standards of Acceptable Performance for Emergency Preparation and Restoration of Electric Distribution and gas Distribution Companies › Section 815-RICR-00-00-5.5 - Performance Standards for Emergency Preparation and Restoration of Service

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Emergency Preparation. Each Public Utility
				  shall ensure that it is adequately and sufficiently prepared to restore service
				  to its customers in a safe and reasonably prompt manner during and after an
				  Emergency Event.
1. For electric distribution
				  companies, this shall include at a minimum, but not be limited to:
a. implementing all applicable components of
				  the Public Utility's ERP related to planning and preparation for Emergency
				  Events;
b. conducting the following
				  on at least an annual basis:
(1) meetings with
				  state and local officials to ensure an effective and efficient flow of
				  information and substantial and frequent coordination between the Public
				  Utility and local public safety officials, including coordination with local
				  officials with respect to vegetation management; and
(2) training and/or drills/exercises to
				  ensure effective and efficient performance of personnel during Emergency
				  Events, and to ensure that each Public Utility has the ability to restore
				  service to its customers in a safe and reasonably prompt manner.
c. maintaining updated lists of
				  local elected and appointed officials, state and local public safety officials,
				  Life Support Customers, and all internal personnel and external entities
				  involved in the Public Utility's restoration efforts.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 5 - Standards of Acceptable Performance for Emergency Preparation and Restoration of Electric Distribution and gas Distribution Companies › Section 815-RICR-00-00-5.6 - Emergency Response Plans

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Each Public
				  Utility shall submit to the Division an ERP that shall be designed to achieve
				  safe and reasonably prompt restoration of service associated with an Emergency
				  Event. The ERP shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
1. Identification of incident command
				  positions responsible for Public Utility emergency operations, including a
				  description of their specific duties;
2. A communications process with customers
				  that provides access to information regarding active outages, customers
				  affected and estimated restoration times available on a website. Such
				  information shall be prominently displayed and updated. A Public Utility shall
				  also provide estimated times of restoration at least three times per day
				  through at least one other form of media outreach, and when requested by
				  customers via telephone;
3. For
				  electric distribution companies, procedures for maintaining an updated list of
				  Life Support Customers, including a process to update a Public Utility's Life
				  Support Customer list when a customer notifies the Public Utility of a medical
				  need for electric service, communicating with Life Support Customers before and
				  during an Emergency Event, and procedures for prioritizing power restoration to
				  Life Support Customers;
4.
				  Designation of staff to communicate with local officials, including public
				  safety officials, relevant regulatory agencies, and designated Municipal
				  Liaisons and designation of staff to be posted at the Rhode Island Emergency
				  Management Agency's emergency operations center;
5. Provisions regarding how the Public
				  Utility will ensure the safety of its employees, contractors, and the
				  public;
6. Procedures for deploying
				  Public Utility and contractor crews, and crews acquired through Mutual
				  Assistance Agreements to work assignment areas;
7. Identification of additional supplies and
				  equipment needed during an emergency and the means of obtaining additional
				  supplies and equipment; and
8.
				  Maintenance of a customer call center in the State of Rhode Island that is
				  sufficiently staffed to handle all customer request for service assistance for
				  the duration of an Emergency Event or until full service is restored, whichever
				  occurs first.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 5 - Standards of Acceptable Performance for Emergency Preparation and Restoration of Electric Distribution and gas Distribution Companies › Section 815-RICR-00-00-5.7 - Division Investigation into Public Utility Performance; Remedies

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Investigations
1. The Division may open a full
				  investigation, upon its own initiative, to review the performance of any
				  electric distribution or natural gas distribution company in restoring service
				  during an Emergency Event. Nothing herein shall prohibit any affected city or
				  town from filing a complaint with the Division pursuant to the provisions of
				  R.I. Gen. Laws §
											39-2-27.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 00 - General Administration › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 5 - Standards of Acceptable Performance for Emergency Preparation and Restoration of Electric Distribution and gas Distribution Companies › Section 815-RICR-00-00-5.8 - Miscellaneous

Current through June 14, 2024
A. The Division may grant, for good cause
				  shown and not contrary to statute, an exception from any provision of
				  815-RICR-00-00-5.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 10 - Telecommunications › Subchapter 00 - General Administration › Part 1 - Regulations and Fee Schedules for Telecommunications Providers (815-RICR-10-00-1) › Section 815-RICR-10-00-1.1 - Authority

Current through June 14, 2024
These regulations, enacted pursuant to 1995 P.L. Chapter
					 316, govern the fees payable by telecommunications providers who are not
					 otherwise subject to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws §§
										39-1-26(a) or
					 (b). These fees represent the reasonable
					 costs incurred by the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers and the Public
					 Utilities Commission in docketing, investigation, and
					 decision-making.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 10 - Telecommunications › Subchapter 00 - General Administration › Part 1 - Regulations and Fee Schedules for Telecommunications Providers (815-RICR-10-00-1) › Section 815-RICR-10-00-1.3 - Original Applications

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Class I. In
				  addition to the materials required to be submitted to the Clerk pursuant to
				  Docket No. 2129, CAP applicants shall tender $300.00, in a check payable to the
				  State of Rhode Island. No application shall be accepted for docketing in the
				  absence of full payment and all required paperwork.
B. Class II. In addition to the materials
				  required to be submitted to the Clerk pursuant to Docket No. 2262, CSR
				  applicants shall tender $250.00, in a check payable to the State of Rhode
				  Island. No application shall be accepted for docketing in the absence of full
				  payment and all required paperwork. Certain CSRs were granted interim authority
				  by the Commission, pending action by the General Assembly. Holders of interim
				  authority need not refile their materials, but will obtain permanent authority
				  by submitting a letter requesting the same, accompanied by $250.00, in a check
				  payable to the State of Rhode Island.
C. Class III. In addition to a Statement of
				  Business Operations and initial tariffs, DCS applicants shall tender $250.00,
				  in a check payable to the State of Rhode Island. No application shall be
				  accepted for docketing in the absence of full payment and all required
				  paperwork.
D. Class IV. Class IV
				  applicants are required to file certain information with the Division, pursuant
				  to the Rules and Regulations for Telephone Operator Service Providers in Rhode
				  Island, issued April 8, 1991. In addition, OSPs shall tender $250.00, in a
				  check payable to the State of Rhode Island. No application shall be accepted
				  for docketing in the absence of full payment and all required
				  paperwork.
E. Class V. COCOTs with
				  fifteen units or more who wish to offer service as Class V telecommunications
				  providers, must submit a registration form, listing information required by
				  Docket Nos. 1786, 1796, and 1899, and initial tariffs. Inmate Services
				  providers must submit a copy of the contract with the State of Rhode Island or
				  the United States of America. In addition to this paperwork, Class V
				  telecommunications providers shall tender $150.00, in a check payable to the
				  State of Rhode Island.
F. Class VI.
				  The Division will dictate entry requirements for these providers on a
				  service-by-service basis. Class VI telecommunications providers shall tender a
				  check payable to the State of Rhode Island, in an amount to be determined by
				  the Division, not to exceed $300.00.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 10 - Telecommunications › Subchapter 00 - General Administration › Part 1 - Regulations and Fee Schedules for Telecommunications Providers (815-RICR-10-00-1) › Section 815-RICR-10-00-1.5 - Additional Filing Fees

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Class I. CAPs
				  shall tender $50.00, in a check payable to the State of Rhode Island, with each
				  tariff revision or non-tariff filing, other than the annual filings required
				  by§
										1.4(A)   of this Part. No filing shall be accepted for docketing unless
				  the account is in full satisfactory status, and full payment is made.
B. Class II. CSRs shall tender $50.00, in a
				  check payable to the State of Rhode Island, with each tariff revision or
				  non-tariff filing, other than the annual filings required by §
										1.4(B)   of
				  this Part. No filing shall be accepted for docketing unless the account is in
				  full satisfactory status, and full payment is made.
C. Class III. DCS providers shall tender
				  $50.00, in a check payable to the State of Rhode Island, with each tariff
				  revision or non-tariff filing, other than the annual filings required by
				  §
										1.4(C)   of this Part. No filing shall be accepted for docketing unless the
				  account is in full satisfactory status, and full payment is made.
D. Class IV. AOS or OSP providers shall
				  tender $50.00, in a check payable to the State of Rhode Island, with each
				  tariff revision or non-tariff filing, other than the annual filings required by
				  §
										1.4(D)   of this Part. No filing shall be accepted for docketing unless the
				  account is in full satisfactory status, and full payment is made.
E. Class V. COCOTs and Inmate Service
				  providers shall tender $25.00, in a check payable to the State of Rhode Island,
				  with each tariff revision, other than the annual filing required by
				  §
										1.4(E)   of this Part. No payment shall be required with non-tariff
				  filings. No filing shall be accepted for docketing unless the account is in
				  full satisfactory status, and full payment is made.
F. Class VI. Class VI telecommunications
				  providers shall tender $50.00, in a check payable to the State of Rhode Island,
				  with each tariff revision or non-tariff filing, other than the annual filings
				  which may be required by §
										1.4(F). No filing shall be accepted for
				  docketing unless the account is in full satisfactory status, and full payment
				  is made.
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 10 - Telecommunications › Subchapter 00 - General Administration › Part 1 - Regulations and Fee Schedules for Telecommunications Providers (815-RICR-10-00-1) › Section 815-RICR-10-00-1.6 - Miscellaneous Provisions

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Multi-class
				  Providers. A telecommunications provider who has authority under more than one
				  class must submit the paperwork for each class, and the associated with the
				  highest class.
B. Publication of
				  Arrearages. An AOS, OSP, COCOT, or Inmate Services provider which fails to
				  submit the annual fee in a timely manner will be summoned for a Show Cause
				  hearing. Notice of this hearing will be published on the National Association
				  of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' Electronic Bulletin Board so that the
				  regulators in other states can be alerted to the provider's failure to comply
				  with regulations. The provider shall be classified "unsatisfactory" for all
				  inquiries.
C. Limitation on
				  Authority within a Class. The Clerk will not accept any original application
				  for filing, if the telecommunications provider seeking authority currently
				  holds authority in the same class (e.g. no CAP can file an application to
				  provide service as a CAP, although it may seek authority as a CSR).
Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 10 - Telecommunications › Subchapter 00 - General Administration › Part 3 - The Rhode Island Telecommunications Education Access Fund (815-RICR-10-00-3) › Section 815-RICR-10-00-3.1 - Introduction

Current through June 14, 2024
Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws §
										39-1-61, establishing the Rhode
					 Island Telecommunications Education Access Fund, the Division of Public
					 Utilities and Carriers, pursuant to the mandate contained in R.I. Gen. Laws
					 §
										39-1-61(d)
					 through §39-1-61(e), hereby promulgates these rules to effectuate the Act
					 of the Rhode Island General Assembly.