The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
AMR-Automatic meter reading-
Account balance-The amount of current service which has been properly billed in addition to any accrued arrearages.
Applicant-
Basic services-
Billing month-A period of not less than 26 days and not more than 35 days except in the following circumstances:
Billing period-In the case of public utilities supplying gas, electric and steam heating service, the billing period must conform to the definition of "billing month." In the case of water and wastewater service, a billing period may be monthly, bimonthly or quarterly as provided in the tariff of the public utility. Customers shall be permitted to receive bills monthly and be notified of their rights thereto.
Class A water utility-A water utility with annual revenues greater than $1 million.
Creditworthiness-An assessment of an applicant's or customer's ability to meet bill payment obligations for utility service.
Customer-
Customer assistance program-A plan or program sponsored by a public utility for the purpose of providing universal service and energy conservation, as defined in 2202 or § 2803 (relating to definitions), in which customers make monthly payments based on household income and household size and under which customers shall comply with certain responsibilities and restrictions to remain eligible for the program.
Cycle billing-A system of billing employed by a public utility which results in the normal rendition of bills for public utility service to a group or portion of customers on different or specified days of one billing period.
Default service-Electric generation supply service provided under a default service program to a retail electric customer not receiving service from an electric generation supplier.
Delinquent account-Charges for public utility service which have not been paid in full by the due date stated on the bill or otherwise agreed upon; provided that an account may not be deemed delinquent if: prior to the due date, a payment arrangement with the public utility has been entered into by the customer, a timely filed notice of dispute is pending before the public utility, or, under time limits provided in this chapter, an informal or formal complaint is timely filed with and is pending before the Commission.
Discontinuance of service-The cessation of service with the consent of the customer and otherwise in accordance with 56.72 (relating to discontinuance of service).
Dispute-A grievance of an applicant, customer or occupant about a public utility's application of a provision covered by this chapter, including, but not limited to, subjects such as credit determinations, deposit requirements, the accuracy of meter readings or bill amounts or the proper party to be charged. If, at the conclusion of an initial contact or, when applicable, a follow-up response, the applicant, customer or occupant indicates satisfaction with the resulting resolution or explanation of the subject of the grievance, the contact will not be considered a dispute.
Dwelling-A house, apartment, mobile home or single meter multiunit structure being supplied with residential service.
Electric distribution utility-An entity providing facilities for the jurisdictional transmission and distribution of electricity to retail customers, except building or facility owners or operators that manage the internal distribution system serving the building or facility and that supply electric power and other related electric power services to occupants of the building or facility.
Electronic billing-The electronic delivery and presentation of bills and related information sent by a public utility to its customers using a system administered by the public utility or a system the public utility is responsible for maintaining.
Electronic notification of payment-A notification generated by an electronic payment system upon receipt of a payment from a customer using an electronic billing and payment system administered by the public utility or a system the public utility is responsible for maintaining.
The notification must inform the customer of successful receipt and amount of payment and the date and time the payment was received.
Electronic remittance of payment-The electronic receipt of payment from customers to a public utility using a system administered by the public utility or a system the public utility is responsible for maintaining.
Emergency-An unforeseen combination of circumstances requiring temporary discontinuance of service to effect repairs or maintenance or to eliminate an imminent threat to life, health, safety or property.
Federal poverty level-The poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1981 (42 U.S.C.A. § 9902(2)).
Formal complaint-A complaint filed before the Commission requesting a legal proceeding before a Commission administrative law judge or a mediation under the management of a Commission administrative law judge.
Household income-The combined gross income of all adults in a residential household who benefit from the public utility service.
Informal complaint-A complaint with the Commission submitted by a customer that does not involve a legal proceeding before a Commission administrative law judge or a mediation under the management of a Commission administrative law judge.
Initial inquiry-A concern or question of an applicant, customer or occupant about a public utility's application of a provision covered by this chapter, including, but not limited to, subjects such as credit determinations, deposit requirements, the accuracy of meter readings or bill amounts or the proper party to be charged. If a public utility, with the consent of the applicant, customer or occupant, offers to review pertinent records and call back the applicant, customer or occupant within 3 business days with a response, the contact will be considered an initial inquiry pending a determination of satisfaction by the applicant, customer or occupant with the company's response. If the company cannot reach the customer to convey the information obtained through a review of company records, a letter shall be sent which summarizes the information and informs the customer to contact the company within 5 business days if the customer disagrees with the company position, or has additional questions or concerns about the matter.
Medical certificate-A written document, in a form approved by the Commission, and consistent with section 56.113, that:
Natural gas distribution service-The delivery of natural gas to retail gas customers utilizing the jurisdictional facilities of a natural gas distribution utility.
Natural gas distribution utility-
Natural gas supply services-
Nonbasic services-Optional recurring services which are distinctly separate and clearly not required for the physical delivery of public utility service or default service.
Nurse practitioner-An individual licensed in this Commonwealth by the State Board of Nursing as a certified registered nurse practitioner under 49 Pa. Code Chapter 21, Subchapter C (relating to certified registered nurse practitioners).
Occupant-A natural person who resides in the premises to which public utility service is provided.
Payment agreement-An agreement in which a customer or applicant who admits liability for billed service is permitted to amortize or pay the unpaid balance of the account in one or more payments.
Payment arrangement-An arrangement in which a customer or applicant who admits liability for billed service is permitted to amortize or pay the unpaid balance of the account in one or more payments.
Person-An individual, partnership, corporation, association, including any lessee, assignee, trustee, receiver, executor, administrator and other successors in interest.
Physician-An individual licensed in this Commonwealth to practice medicine and surgery under 49 Pa. Code Chapter 17, Subchapter A (relating to licensure of medical doctors) or an individual licensed in this Commonwealth to practice osteopathic medicine and surgery under 49 Pa. Code Chapter 25, Subchapter A (relating to general provisions).
Physician assistant-An individual licensed by the State Board of Medicine in this Commonwealth as a physician assistant under 49 Pa. Code, Chapter 18, Subchapter D (relating to physician assistants) or an individual licensed by the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine in this Commonwealth as a physician assistant under 49 Pa. Code, Chapter 25, Subchapter C (relating to physician assistant provisions).
Premises or affected premises-Unless otherwise indicated, the residence of the occupant.
Public utility-An electric distribution utility, natural gas distribution utility, small natural gas distribution utility, steam heat utility, wastewater utility or water distribution utility in this Commonwealth that is within the jurisdiction of the Commission.
Remote reading device-
Residential service-
Small natural gas distribution utility-A public utility providing natural gas distribution services subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission that meets one of the following:
Steam heat utility-An entity producing, generating, distributing or furnishing steam for the production of heat or to or for the public for compensation.
Termination of service-Cessation of service, whether temporary or permanent, without the consent of the customer.
Unauthorized use of public utility service-Unreasonable interference or diversion of service, including meter tampering (any act which affects the proper registration of service through a meter), by-passing unmetered service that flows through a device connected between a service line and customer-owned facilities and unauthorized service restoral.
User without contract-A person as defined in 66 Pa.C.S. § 102 (relating to definitions) that takes or accepts public utility service without the knowledge or approval of the public utility, other than the unauthorized use of public utility service as defined in this section.
Wastewater utility-
Water distribution utility-An entity owning or operating equipment or facilities for diverting, developing, pumping, impounding, distributing or furnishing water to or for the public for compensation.
52 Pa. Code § 56.2
The provisions of this § 56.2 amended under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 501, 504-505, 1301, 1401-1419, 1501 and 1509.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 55.115 (relating to coordination with other regulations); 52 Pa. Code § 56.91 (relating to general notice provisions and contents of termination notice); 52 Pa. Code § 56.140 (relating to follow-up response to inquiry); 52 Pa. Code § 56.164 (relating to termination pending resolution of the dispute); 52 Pa. Code § 56.191 (relating to payment and timing); 52 Pa. Code Chapter 56 Appendix C (relating to definitions ( § 56.231)); and 52 Pa. Code § 75.12 (relating to definitions).