810 R.I. Code R. 810-RICR-10-00-1.3

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 810-RICR-10-00-1.3 - Termination of Service

A. APPLICABILITY: These regulations shall apply to all individuals, partnerships, associations, corporations, municipalities, and cooperatives which are under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission and which own or operate electric, gas, or water utilities in the State of Rhode Island. They shall apply only to residential customers of the public utility and shall not be applicable to commercial or industrial customers.

B. TERMINATION: Subject to the requirements of these regulations, a public utility may terminate service to a residential customer, if:

1. The customer fails within a reasonable time to pay any proper utility bill rendered in accordance with tariffs on file with the Public Utilities Commission, or fails to pay the undisputed portion of a bill that is subject to dispute pursuant to § 1.8(B) of this Part or

2. The customer violates a rule or regulation of the public utility on file with the Public Utilities Commission or

3. Disconnection is necessary for reasons of health, safety, or state or national emergencies or

4. The customer fails within a reasonable time to make a payment pursuant to, or otherwise fails to abide by, the terms of any agreement approved by the Public Utilities Commission, the Administrator of the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, a designee of the Public Utilities Commission or Administrator of the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers or an order issued pursuant to these regulations or

5. The customer fails within a reasonable time to make a payment pursuant to, or otherwise fails to abide by, the terms of a residential payment plan to which the customer has agreed.

C. Failure by a public utility to exercise its right under these regulations to disconnect service shall not affect a customer's liability, if any, for the debt.

D. A "reasonable time" as used in this section shall mean forty (40) days after the mailing date of the original bill or ten (10) days after a payment was due pursuant to a § 1.3(B)(4) of this Part agreement or § 1.3(B)(5) of this Part residential payment plan, whichever is longer.

810 R.I. Code R. 810-RICR-10-00-1.3