Chapter PSC 113

PSC 113.0301(13)(a) (a) A utility shall postpone the disconnection of service, or reconnect the service if disconnected, for up to 21 days to enable the occupant to arrange for payment, if the occupant produces a licensed Wisconsin physician’s statement or notice from a public health, social services or law enforcement official which identifies the medical or protective services emergency and specifies the period of time during which disconnection will aggravate the circumstances. During this extension of service, the utility and occupant shall work together to develop resources and make reasonable payment arrangements in order to continue the service on a permanent basis. The postponement may be extended by renewal of the statement or notice if there is evidence of reasonable communication between the utility and occupant in attempting to make arrangements for payment.

PSC 113.0301(13)(b) (b) During the period service is continued under the provisions of this subsection, the customer shall be responsible for the cost of residential utility service. But no action to disconnect that service shall be taken until expiration of the period of continued service. Any customers who are in this continued service category shall be admitted into appropriate and special payment plan programs the utility may offer.

PSC 113.0301(13)(c) (c) If there is a dispute concerning an existing medical or protective services emergency, either party may request informal review by the public service commission staff. Pending a decision after informal review, residential utility service shall be continued provided that the occupant has submitted the statement or notice described in par. (a).

PSC 113.0301(14) (14) Residential service shall not be disconnected on a day, or on a day immediately preceding a day, when the business offices of the utility are not available to the public for the purpose of transacting all business matters unless the utility provides personnel who are readily available to the customer 24 hours per day to evaluate, negotiate or otherwise consider the customer’s objections to the disconnection as provided under s. PSC 113.0407 and proper service personnel are readily available to restore service 24 hours per day.

PSC 113.0301(15) (15) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, residential utility service may not be refused because of a delinquent account if the customer or applicant provides as a condition of future service a deposit or guarantee as governed by s. PSC 113.0402, or a voucher agreement. If the guarantor has agreed to be responsible for payment of all future bills, the customer shall be notified of the billing arrangement and of the ability to reject the proposed arrangement.

PSC 113.0301(16) (16) The utility may not disconnect services in affected counties when a heat advisory, heat warning, or heat emergency issued by the national weather service is in effect. A utility shall make reasonable attempts to reconnect service to an occupied dwelling that has been disconnected when an occupant states that there is a potential threat to health or life that results from the combination of the heat and loss of service. The utility may require that an occupant produce a licensed physician’s statement or notice from a public health, social services, or law enforcement official which identifies the medical emergency for the occupant. Upon expiration of the heat advisory, heat warning, or heat emergency, the utility may disconnect service to a property that was reconnected during this period without further notice if an appropriate payment arrangement has not been established.

PSC 113.0301(17) (17) If the utility becomes aware that there are extenuating circumstances, such as infirmities of aging, developmental, mental or physical disabilities, the use of life support systems, or like infirmities incurred at any age, or the frailties associated with being very young, the utility shall take these circumstances into consideration prior to disconnecting service.

PSC 113.0301 History History: Cr. Register, July, 2000, No. 535, eff. 8-1-00; CR 06-046: am. (10) (c) 4. Register April 2007 No. 616, eff. 5-1-07; correction in (1m) (g) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register April 2013 No. 688; CR 13-048: am. (1m) (i), r. (1m) (j), (3) Register July 2014 No. 703, eff. 8-1-14.

PSC 113.0302 PSC 113.0302 Disconnections, commercial and farm accounts.

PSC 113.0302(1) (1) Commercial or farm accounts which involve occupied dwellings shall be subject to s. PSC 113.0304.

PSC 113.0302(2) (2) Commercial or farm utility service may be disconnected or refused for any of the following reasons:

PSC 113.0302(2)(a) (a) Failure to pay a delinquent account.

PSC 113.0302(2)(b) (b) Violation of the utility’s rules pertaining to the use of service in a manner which interferes with the service of others or to the operation of non-standard equipment, if the customer has first been notified and provided with reasonable opportunity to remedy the situation.

PSC 113.0302(2)(c) (c) Failure to comply with a deposit, guarantee arrangement, or installment payment agreement, as specified in s. PSC 113.0403.

PSC 113.0302(2)(d) (d) Refusal or failure to permit authorized utility personnel to read the meter at least once every 6 months in order to determine actual usage. The 6-month period begins with the date of the last meter reading.

PSC 113.0302(2)(e) (e) Failure to comply with Wisconsin statute, commission rule or commission order pertaining to conservation or availability of service.

PSC 113.0302(2)(f) (f) Failure to pay costs or fees incurred by and awarded to the utility by a court of law, for pursuit of collection of bills, or failure to pay extraordinary collection charges as allowed and specified in the utility’s tariffs filed with the public service commission.

PSC 113.0302(2)(g) (g) Failure to comply with applicable requirements of this section, or of the utility’s rules, or with s. 196.16, Stats., or if the customer proposes to use a device that is not designed to reasonably minimize interference with communication and signal services.

PSC 113.0302(2)(h) (h) Refusal or failure to provide authorized utility personnel access to utility equipment.

PSC 113.0302(3) (3) A utility is not required to furnish commercial or farm service under conditions requiring operation in parallel with generating equipment connected to the customer’s system if such operation is hazardous or may interfere with its own operations or service to other customers or with service furnished by others. The utility may specify requirements as to connection and operation as a condition of rendering service under such circumstances.

PSC 113.0302(4) (4) A public utility may disconnect commercial or farm utility service, without notice, where a dangerous condition exists for as long as the condition exists.

PSC 113.0302(5) (5) A public utility may disconnect commercial or farm utility service, without notice, where it has reasonable evidence that utility service is being obtained by potentially unsafe devices or potentially unsafe methods that stop or interfere with the proper metering of the utility service.

PSC 113.0302(6) (6) A public utility may disconnect commercial or farm utility service, without notice, where service has been reconnected without the utility’s authorization.

PSC 113.0302(7) (7) 

PSC 113.0302(7)(a) (a) Account arrears incurred by an owner or property manager for rental residential dwelling units or responsibility for non-compliance with energy conservation requirements as set out in ch. PSC 136 may be transferred, without regard to class of service, to the home or office account of the owner or property manager.

PSC 113.0302(7)(b) (b) The utility shall send written notice of the planned transfer of the account arrears or responsibility for non-compliance with energy conservation requirements to the owner or property manager prior to making the transfer.

PSC 113.0302(7)(c) (c) If the account arrears remain unpaid or the structure in question continues to be in non-compliance with the energy conservation requirements, the utility may disconnect the owner’s or property manager’s residence or office service, provided that the utility complies with the disconnection provisions of ss. PSC 113.0301 and 113.0304.

PSC 113.0302(7)(d) (d) An owner or property manager whose account is subject to disconnection action may avoid disconnection of service by making payment, by making an agreement with the utility for an extension of time for a specific period, or by installing the required energy conservation measures in the property in question. Any disconnection shall be in compliance with ss. PSC 113.0301 and 113.0304.

PSC 113.0302(8) (8) Commercial or farm utility service may not be disconnected or refused for any of the following reasons:

PSC 113.0302(8)(a) (a) Delinquency in payment for service by a previous occupant of the premises to be served.

PSC 113.0302(8)(b) (b) Failure to pay for merchandise or charges for non-utility service billed by the utility.

PSC 113.0302(8)(c) (c) Failure to pay for a different type or class of utility service, except as provided in s. PSC 113.0302 (7) (a).

PSC 113.0302(8)(d) (d) Failure to pay the account of another customer as guarantor thereof.

PSC 113.0302(8)(e) (e) Failure to pay charges arising from any underbilling occurring more than one year prior to the current billing and due to any misapplication of rates or any faulty metering.

PSC 113.0302(8)(f) (f) Failure to pay an estimated bill other than a bill rendered pursuant to an approved meter reading plan.

PSC 113.0302(9) (9) The commercial or farm customer shall have, in all instances, at least 20 days from the date of issuance of the bill to provide payment. An account may be deemed delinquent and notice of intent to disconnect issued after the 20-day period has elapsed. In the event of a discrepancy between the issue date and the postmark, the 20-day period shall be figured from whichever is later.

PSC 113.0302(10) (10) 

PSC 113.0302(10)(a) (a) A utility shall not disconnect commercial or farm service for reasons enumerated in sub. (1) unless written notice is sent to the customer by first class mail or personally served at least 10 calendar days prior to the day of the proposed disconnection. If disconnection is not accomplished on or before the 20th day after the issuance of a notice, a subsequent notice shall be left on the premises not less than 24 hours nor more than 48 hours prior to disconnection.

PSC 113.0302(10)(b) (b) If the billing address is different from the service address, notice shall be posted at each individual dwelling unit of the service address not less than 5 days before disconnection for reasons enumerated in sub. (2). If access is not possible, this notice shall be posted at a minimum, to all entrances to the building and in the lobby. Such notice shall state, at a minimum:

PSC 113.0302(10)(b)1. 1. The date of the notice.

PSC 113.0302(10)(b)2. 2. The proposed date of disconnection.

PSC 113.0302(10)(b)3. 3. That, if feasible, the occupants may apply to the utility to accept responsibility for future bills and avoid disconnection of service. Refusal or acceptance of the application for service is subject to those conditions set out in this chapter.

PSC 113.0302(10)(b)4. 4. That if disconnection of service to an occupied dwelling will aggravate an existing medical or protective services emergency, the occupant should contact the utility immediately.

PSC 113.0302(10)(c) (c) Disconnection notice for reasons enumerated in sub. (2) shall be given upon a form approved by the commission and shall contain the following information:

PSC 113.0302(10)(c)1. 1. The name and address for the customer and the address of the service, if different.

PSC 113.0302(10)(c)2. 2. A statement of the reasons for the proposed disconnection of service and that disconnection will occur if the account is not paid, or if arrangement is not made to pay the account, or if other suitable arrangements are not made, or if equipment changes are not made.

PSC 113.0302(10)(c)3. 3. A statement that the customer should communicate immediately upon receipt of the notice with the utility’s designated office, listing a telephone number, if he or she disputes the notice of delinquent account, or if he or she wishes to negotiate a payment agreement as an alternative to disconnection, or when serving an occupied dwelling, if there is a threat to health or safety of a resident because of the infirmities of aging, developmental, mental or physical disabilities, the use of life support systems, or like infirmities incurred with age, or the frailties associated with being very young.

PSC 113.0302(10)(c)4. 4. A statement that the customer may appeal to the public service commission staff in the event that the grounds for the proposed disconnection or the amount of any bill remains in dispute after the customer has pursued the available remedies with the utility.

PSC 113.0302(11) (11) The utility shall make a reasonable effort to have a personal or telephone contact with the commercial or farm customer prior to disconnection. If a contact is made, the utility shall review the reasons for the pending disconnection. The utility shall keep a record of these contacts and contact attempts.

PSC 113.0302(12) (12) 

PSC 113.0302(12)(a) (a) When a commercial or farm customer, either directly or through the public service commission, disputes a disconnection notice, the utility shall investigate any disputed issue and attempt to resolve that issue by negotiation. During this investigation and negotiation, utility service shall not be disconnected over this matter.

PSC 113.0302(12)(b) (b) If a disputed issue cannot be resolved pursuant to s. PSC 113.0407 (1), the utility shall inform the customer of the right to appeal to the public service commission.

PSC 113.0302(13) (13) Commercial or farm service shall not be disconnected on a day, or on a day immediately preceding a day, when the business offices of the utility are not available to the public for the purpose of transacting all business matters unless the utility provides personnel who are readily available to the customer 24 hours per day to evaluate, negotiate or otherwise consider the customer’s objections to the disconnection, as provided under s. PSC 113.0407 and proper service personnel are readily available to restore service 24 hours per day.

PSC 113.0302(14) (14) The utility may not disconnect service that serves an occupied dwelling unit in affected counties when a heat advisory, heat warning, or heat emergency issued by the national weather service is in effect. A utility shall make reasonable attempts to reconnect service to an occupied dwelling that has been disconnected for nonpayment when an occupant states that there is a potential threat to health or life that results from the combination of the heat and loss of service. The utility may require that an occupant produce a licensed physician’s statement or notice from a public health, social service, or law enforcement official which identifies the medical emergency for the occupant. Upon expiration of the heat advisory, heat warning, or heat emergency, the utility may disconnect service to a property that was reconnected during this period without further notice if an appropriate payment arrangement has not been established.

PSC 113.0302 History History: Cr. Register, July, 2000, No. 535, eff. 8-1-00.

PSC 113.0303 PSC 113.0303 Reconnection of service.

PSC 113.0303(1) (1) 

PSC 113.0303(1)(a) (a) By June 1 of each year, or at a date designated by order of the commission, each electric utility in Wisconsin serving more than 40,000 customers shall submit a fall reconnection plan for review and approval by commission order. The plan shall provide reasonable means, including a timetable for personal contacts, that will be used to assure that all premises to which service was disconnected within the past 12 months and remains disconnected for nonpayment shall be contacted prior to October 25, or at a date set by commission order, to inform them of available payment options such as budget billing or deferred payment agreements. The utility shall include in its plan, procedures for negotiating for payment with households that contain persons who are elderly, infants, young children, seriously ill, or mentally or physically disabled.

PSC 113.0303(1)(b) (b) Prior to October 15 of each year, or at a date designated by order of the commission, a utility shall attempt by letter, telephone, or personal visit to contact all households at premises to which service was disconnected within the past 12 months and remains disconnected for nonpayment and inform them of available payment options such as budget billing or deferred payment agreement. If a letter or telephone call does not result in a response from an adult member of the household by October 15, or at a date designated by order of the commission, a subsequent personal visit shall be made no later than October 25, or at a date designated by order of the commission. For any household remaining disconnected after this date, the utility shall continue its efforts to have a personal contact with the household and determine its situation. The utility shall make a personal contact attempt after the date of disconnection and before November 1 for any household disconnected between October 15 and October 31. If, during any of the contacts made to carry out this section, the utility or its representative observes a danger to human health or life due to the disconnection, the utility shall immediately restore service. A record shall be made of all contacts and attempted contacts made to comply with this section.

PSC 113.0303(2) (2) By November 15th of each year, a utility shall file a report with the commission stating the number of dwellings assumed to be occupied where service remains disconnected as of November 1 or later and the reason that service has not been reconnected. Weekly, or on other dates if designated by order of the commission, a utility shall file reports with the commission listing the number of assumed to be occupied dwellings where service remains disconnected and the reason that service has not been reconnected to each dwelling.

PSC 113.0303(3) (3) A utility shall cooperate with law enforcement and social service agencies in instances involving protective services emergencies. The utility shall refer to the appropriate social service agency any situation it identifies in its reconnection efforts where it appears that intervention by a social service agency is appropriate. Local law enforcement and social service agencies may use the commission’s dispute resolution process on behalf of a household without service because of nonpayment.

PSC 113.0303(4) (4) Applicability.

PSC 113.0303(4)(a) (a) This section applies to dwellings where service has been disconnected for nonpayment of a utility service during the last 12 months and applies to utility service which provides the primary heat source, or affects the primary heat source to dwelling units. If a utility is unsure of whether utility service to a given premises affects its heat source, the utility must comply with the requirements of this section unless and until it can document that the discontinuation of utility service to that premises would not affect its heat source.

PSC 113.0303(4)(b) (b) Utilities with less than 40,000 customers may be required to submit a plan as described in sub. (1) (a) for approval by commission order and to meet the requirements of sub. (1) (a).

PSC 113.0303 History History: Cr. Register, July, 2000, No. 535, eff. 8-1-00.

PSC 113.0304 PSC 113.0304 Cold weather disconnections.

PSC 113.0304(1) (1) Declaration of policy. The public service commission of Wisconsin recognizes that there are many citizens of the state who, because of incomes, infirmities of aging, developmental or mental disabilities or like infirmities incurred at any age, or the frailties associated with being very young, need protection from cold weather disconnections. This section is intended to provide that protection as enumerated below. It is the further intent of the public service commission that these rules be used as guidelines to identify those customers who are not covered by sub. (4). For households subject to disconnection under this section, any disconnection permitted by this chapter during the cold weather period defined below shall be made only as a last resort, after all other legal means of recourse have been attempted and proven unsuccessful.

PSC 113.0304(2) (2) Applicability.

PSC 113.0304(2)(a) (a) This section applies to disconnections for nonpayment of utility service which provides the primary heat source or energy source affecting the primary heat source to residential dwelling units occurring during the period November 1 to April 15 in any year for all occupied residences.

PSC 113.0304(2)(b) (b) This section shall not apply to disconnections of service as set forth in s. PSC 113.0301 (1m) (b), (4), or (5), or disconnections for remodeling or repairs.

PSC 113.0304(3) (3) Customer requested termination. With regard to customer-requested termination of service at an unoccupied residence, the utility may rely on verification by the owner or the owner’s agent that the residence is unoccupied, provided that the utility visits the premises at the time of disconnection and verifies that the premises are not occupied. The utility shall keep a written record of the utility determination that the premises are unoccupied.

PSC 113.0304(4) (4) Conditions for disconnection. A utility may disconnect only those households whose gross quarterly incomes are above 250% of the federal income poverty guidelines and where health and safety would not be endangered because of the infirmities of age, developmental or mental disabilities or like infirmities incurred at any age or the frailties associated with being very young, if service were terminated or not restored.

PSC 113.0304(5) (5) Verification.

PSC 113.0304(5)(a) (a) The burden of proof that a household is eligible for disconnection as defined in sub. (3) shall be the responsibility of the utility.

PSC 113.0304(5)(b) (b) The utility, as part of its filing with the public service commission pursuant to sub. (12) (b), shall include how it will verify the household’s income and situation.

PSC 113.0304(6) (6) Notice.

PSC 113.0304(6)(a) (a) Prior to and again at the time of disconnection of service, a utility representative shall meet personally with a responsible, adult member of the household to discover any circumstances which deserve special attention, such as medical problems or disabilities.

PSC 113.0304(6)(b) (b) The utility shall maintain a record of all contacts with the household from the time that notice of pending disconnection is first given.

PSC 113.0304(7) (7) Telephone availability. A utility shall provide its emergency after-hours telephone number to all households scheduled for utility service disconnection.

PSC 113.0304(8) (8) Customer and occupant service information. Prior to disconnection, a utility shall inform the household of the availability of deferred payment agreements, budget billing and in the case of a noncustomer occupant, the option of accepting responsibility for future bills.

PSC 113.0304(9) (9) No disconnection on certain days. A utility may not disconnect service to an occupied dwelling on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, holiday or on a day when utility personnel are not readily available to the occupant 24 hours per day to negotiate restoration of service.

PSC 113.0304(10) (10) Third party contacts. If the household has previously requested that a specific third party be notified before disconnection, the utility shall contact that third party prior to disconnection of service.

PSC 113.0304(11) (11) Management-level employee. The utility shall designate by November 1 each year one or more executive employees who will be responsible for final approval of the disconnection of utility service and notify the commission, in writing, of the name, title and contact number of the person or persons so designated. The designated employee shall certify on a form approved by the commission that all appropriate code provisions have been met prior to authorizing disconnection. For investor-owned utilities with 30,000 or more customers, the designated person shall be an employee with at least the position of vice president. For investor-owned utilities with fewer than 30,000 customers, the designated employee shall be the utility president. For a municipal utility the designated employee shall be either the general manager or chairperson of the governing board. A utility may designate an employee to act in the absence of the above-listed personnel because of illness or vacation.

PSC 113.0304(12) (12) Report.

PSC 113.0304(12)(a) (a) The utility shall report each disconnection of service to an occupied dwelling by facsimile transmission, if available, or telephone to the consumer services bureau of the public service commission by 3:30 p.m. the same day the disconnection takes place.

PSC 113.0304(12)(b) (b) If a utility intends to make any disconnection of service to occupied dwellings under the provisions of this section, it shall each year, prior to making any disconnections, file procedures for review and receive approval by order of the public service commission describing how it intends to identify the occupied dwellings subject to disconnection. If within 60 days of submission the commission has not, by order, approved the procedures, the procedures shall be considered disapproved.

PSC 113.0304(13) (13) Follow-up visit.

PSC 113.0304(13)(a) (a) By the end of the work day following the day of disconnection, the utility shall make an in-person visit to the occupied dwelling to check on the household’s wellbeing and to ensure there is no danger to human health or life. The utility shall again inform the household of the availability of deferred payment or budget billing agreements, shelter assistance and in the case of a noncustomer occupant, the option of accepting responsibility for payment of future bills. If the utility or its representative observes a danger to human health or life due to the disconnection, the utility shall immediately restore service.

PSC 113.0304(13)(b) (b) The utility may request that the visit required under par. (a) be made by a representative of a city health department, local health and social service agency, local law enforcement agency, or similar authority, but ultimate responsibility for the visit shall remain with the utility.