126.03.05 Ark. Code R. 001
Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 10, October, 2024
Rule 126.03.05-001 - Rule 6.15 - Cold Weather Rule of the General Service RulesRule 6.15. Cold Weather Rule A. Electric and gas utilities may not suspend residential service on a day when the National Weather Service forecasts that a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower will occur at any time during the following 24 hour period. The utility must obtain the most recent forecast for the customer's weather zone from the National Weather Service reports on the morning of the day that the customer's shut-off is scheduled.B. Gas utilities may not suspend residential gas service during the suspension moratorium period of November 1 to March 31 for low income customers subject to the following terms and conditions: 1. The term "low income customers" is defined to include any individual gas utility customer of record who is approved to receive either Food Stamps, WIC, TEA, Medicaid, or LIHEAP assistance.2. To avoid a suspension of gas service, such customer must directly notify the gas utility before the suspension date indicated on a received shut-off notice or before the receipt of a shut-off notice that they are approved to receive either Food Stamps, WIC, TEA, Medicaid or LIHEAP assistance. Official written proof of such approval must be provided by such customer directly to the gas utility within fourteen (14) days of the date of the initial notice to the gas utility.3. Such customer must execute a written Suspension Moratorium Agreement ("SMA") with the gas utility obligating the customer to make a minimum monthly payment for gas service during the suspension moratorium period. Said minimum monthly payment shall be equal to the minimum monthly payment which otherwise would be required under the gas utility's approved voluntary "average monthly billing plan" or "levelized payment plan", and shall be payable on the customers normal monthly payment due date.4. Such customer also must agree to and execute a Delayed Payment Agreement ("DPA") covering (a) the cumulative deferred monthly bill amounts for the period November 1 to March 31; as well as (b) any past due amounts owing at the time of execution of the SMA. Such customer must timely pay the total deferred billing amounts in seven (7) equal monthly installment payments to be made April through October. Interest shall not begin to accrue on any deferred amount until repayment of the deferred amount begins. Payments under the DPA shall be in addition to the normal monthly billed amounts during the seven (7) month DPA term.5. In the went of misuse, fraud, or failure to make required monthly payments under the provisions of Rule 6.15.B by such customer, the gas utility may initiate Commission approved service suspension procedures notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 6.15.B. 6. In the event of a service suspension pursuant to the provisions of Rule 6.15.B.5 such customer will not be allowed to again claim the service suspension moratorium protection of Rule 6.15.B. until all past due amounts owed to the gas utility have been paid in full.6. In the event of a service suspension pursuant to the provisions of Rule 6.15.B.5 such customer will not be allowed to again claim the service suspension moratorium protection of Rule 6.15.B. until all past due amounts owed to the gas utility have been paid in full.7. If necessary to preserve and protect the public safety, the gas utility may initiate emergency suspension procedures notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 6.15.B until such time as the specific public safety issue has been satisfactorily resolved.126.03.05 Ark. Code R. 001