Okla. Admin. Code § 165:35-21-31

Current through Vol. 42, No. 7, December 16, 2024

Section 165:35-21-31 - Reconnection of service

(a) A utility shall reconnect service upon the consumer's request as soon as the reason for disconnection of service has been eliminated. The utility shall give precedence to reconnection of service when disconnection was the fault of the utility; the utility shall reconnect service in the normal course of its reconnection workload, as soon as possible but no later than twenty-four (24) hours after the consumer eliminates the reason for disconnection and requests reconnection, when disconnection of service was the fault of the consumer. If the reason for disconnection is unauthorized use of electricity accomplished through bypassing the utility's measuring equipment or tampering with the wires, pipes, meters, or other utility equipment, the utility may, prior to reconnecting service, require a reasonable payment for estimated service rendered or may refuse to reconnect service until ordered by the Commission. A utility may require payment of a reconnection charge when disconnection of service was the fault of the consumer, if such a charge is provided in the utility's tariffs.

(b) When the disconnection of service was for nonpayment of service and disconnection took place on a Friday morning, service shall be restored as soon as possible, but no later than twenty-four (24) hours from when the consumer eliminates the reason for disconnection and requests reconnection, subject to an intervening Act of God.

(c) When a disconnection for nonpayment of service has occurred immediately preceding periods of severe weather as described in OAC 165:35-21-10(c), the utility shall reconnect service as soon as possible but no later than twenty-four (24) hours, subject to an intervening Act of God, upon receipt of one of the following:

(1) Payment of the past due bill for which service was disconnected.

(2) Submission of a life-threatening certificate from the consumer pursuant to OAC 165:35-21-10.

(3) Guarantee by a federal, state, or local social service agency that payment will be made directly to the utility.

(d) Reconnection or continuance of service under this Section shall not in any way relieve the consumer of the consumer's liability incurred for utility service.

Okla. Admin. Code § 165:35-21-31

Amended at 12 Ok Reg 2115, eff 7-1-95; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 1968, eff 7-1-02