N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 16 § 14.9

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024

Section 14.9 - Reconnection of service

(a) Obligation to reconnect. A utility must reconnect service that has been terminated within 24 hours of the customer's request for reconnection, unless prevented by circumstances beyond the utility's control or unless a customer requests otherwise, under any of the following conditions:

(1) upon receipt of the full amount of arrears for which service was terminated;

(2) upon receipt of a signed payment agreement consistent with section 14.10 of this Part, covering the full amount of arrears for which service was terminated, and the receipt of a downpayment, if required under that agreement;

(3) upon the direction by the commission or its designee; or

(4) where a utility has received notice that a serious impairment to health or safety is likely to result if service is not reconnected. Doubts as to whether reconnection is required for health or safety reasons must be resolved in favor of reconnection.

(b) Inability to reconnect. Wherever circumstances beyond the utility's control prevent reconnection of service within 24 hours of any of the events specified in subdivision (a) of this section, the utility must immediately attempt to notify the customer and reconnect service within 24 hours of the elimination of those circumstances.

(c) Penalty.

(1) If a utility does not reconnect service within 24 hours as required by this section, the utility must pay the customer for each day or portion of a day that service is not supplied after the date that service should have been supplied, as follows:

(i) $50 per day or portion of a day in cases involving medical emergencies, the elderly, blind or disabled, heat-related service during the cold weather period, or where the utility has notice that a serious impairment to health or safety is likely to result if service is not reconnected; or

(ii) $25 per day or portion of a day in all other cases.

(2) The penalty referred to in paragraph (1) of this subdivision will not be applicable if the commission or its designee determines that the utility had good cause for not reconnecting service within 24 hours. In such cases, the utility has the burden of showing good cause.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 16 § 14.9