Chapter PSC 185

PSC 185.22(5) (5) 

PSC 185.22(5)(a) (a) A utility shall provide customer usage and billing history on request to current or prospective customers, tenants, or property owners. This information shall include either the average consumption for the prior 12-month period or figures reflecting the highest and lowest consumption amounts for the previous 12 months. Provision of this information is neither a breach of customer confidentiality nor a guarantee or contract by the utility as to future consumption levels for the premises in question.

PSC 185.22(5)(b) (b) Upon a residential customer request, the public utility shall provide consumption information by billing periods for at least the last year and information and instructions needed by the customer to make consumption comparisons to similar residential customers in the same class and to evaluate water conservation efforts.

PSC 185.22 Note Note: The information in subs. (1) - (5) is contained in the commission’s residential customer bill of rights.

PSC 185.22 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1997, No. 493, eff. 2-1-97; CR 01-033: am. (1), Register October 2001 No. 550, eff. 11-1-01; CR 11-039: renum. (5) to (5) (a), (5) (b) renum. from 185.33 (2) Register July 2012 No. 679, eff. 8-1-12.

subch. III of ch. PSC 185 Subchapter III — Service and Billing

PSC 185.30 PSC 185.30 Application for residential and multifamily service.

PSC 185.30(1) (1) For purposes of this section, “written” or “in writing” means legibly printed on paper or, with the intended recipient’s permission, legibly printed in an electronic form that the recipient can electronically store and retrieve for future reference.

PSC 185.30(2) (2) 

PSC 185.30(2)(a) (a) If a utility requires an application, a residential or multifamily user of water service shall apply for service.

PSC 185.30(2)(b) (b) A utility may require a verbal or written application for residential service. The utility shall establish a written policy for when a written application is required. A utility may accept an application for service from a person other than the user or potential user of service.

PSC 185.30(2)(c) (c)

PSC 185.30(2)(c)1. 1. Except as provided in par. (d) and sub. (3), a utility may only require that an applicant provide the following information in an application:

PSC 185.30(2)(c)1.a. a. Legal name and birthdate of the user of service and the person responsible for bill payment, if different than the user.

PSC 185.30(2)(c)1.b. b. If the user of service has telephone service, the telephone number of the user of service. If the person responsible for bill payment is different than the user and the person responsible for bill payment has telephone service, the utility may also require the telephone number of the person responsible for bill payment. Lack of telephone service is not grounds for service refusal.

PSC 185.30(2)(c)1.c. c. Address where service is to be provided.

PSC 185.30(2)(c)1.d. d. Mailing address if different from service address.

PSC 185.30(2)(c)1.e. e. Date requested for service to begin.

PSC 185.30(2)(c)1.f. f. The most recent previous address of the person responsible for bill payment.

PSC 185.30(2)(c)1.g. g. Initial identification data under subd. 2.

PSC 185.30(2)(c)2. 2. A utility shall accept any of the following items as adequate initial identification data, although it may accept other forms of identification:

PSC 185.30(2)(c)2.a. a. Driver’s license number.

PSC 185.30(2)(c)2.b. b. State identification card number.

PSC 185.30(2)(c)2.c. c. Passport number.

PSC 185.30(2)(c)2.d. d. Social security number or the last 4 digits of the social security number.

PSC 185.30(2)(c)3. 3. If a utility requests the initial identification data under subd. 2., it shall inform the applicant of all acceptable forms of initial identification data and allow the applicant to choose which the applicant wishes to provide.

PSC 185.30(2)(d) (d) If a utility determines that an applicant’s response under par. (c) 1. a. to f. indicates that additional information is necessary to further evaluate the applicant’s credit history or identity, the utility may require the applicant’s addresses for the past 6 years as part of its application for service. Each utility shall establish a written policy for requesting the application information under this paragraph.

PSC 185.30 Note Note: Also see s. PSC 185.36, which allows a request for a deposit if an applicant has an outstanding account balance that accrued within the last 6 years.

PSC 185.30(2)(e) (e) A utility may request information other than that listed in pars. (c) and (d), but before requesting it the utility shall inform the applicant that providing that information is optional.

PSC 185.30(2)(f) (f) A utility may refuse or disconnect service for failure to provide any information specified in par. (c) 1. a., c., e., and f. or par. (d).

PSC 185.30 Note Note: See sub. (3) (a) about what can be required if an applicant refuses to provide the initial identification data under s. PSC 185.30 (2) (c) 1. g.

PSC 185.30(3) (3) Identity and residency verification.

PSC 185.30(3)(a) (a) A utility may require verification of the initial identification data or the residency, or both, of the person responsible for bill payment under any of the following circumstances:

PSC 185.30(3)(a)1. 1. The application is for service at a premises where a bill remains unpaid for service provided within the previous 24 months.

PSC 185.30(3)(a)2. 2. The person responsible for bill payment has an outstanding bill with the utility but claims that the bill was accrued in the person’s name as a result of identity theft.

PSC 185.30(3)(a)3. 3. The applicant fails to provide the initial identification data under sub. (2) (c) 1. g. or the utility finds, with reasonable certainty, that the initial identification information is inaccurate.

PSC 185.30(3)(b) (b) A utility shall establish a written policy for when it will require verification of identity or residency under par. (a).

PSC 185.30(3)(c) (c) A utility shall accept any of the following items as adequate verification of identity, although it may accept other forms of verification:

PSC 185.30(3)(c)1. 1. Any one of the following items:

PSC 185.30(3)(c)1.a. a. Valid driver’s license or other photo identification issued by a state, U.S., or tribal governmental entity.

PSC 185.30(3)(c)1.b. b. Valid U.S. military or military dependent identification card.

PSC 185.30(3)(c)1.c. c. Valid passport.

PSC 185.30(3)(c)2. 2. Any two of the following items:

PSC 185.30(3)(c)2.a. a. Social security card.

PSC 185.30(3)(c)2.b. b. Certified copy of a marriage certificate.

PSC 185.30(3)(c)2.c. c. Certified copy of a judgment of divorce or legal separation.

PSC 185.30(3)(c)2.d. d. Military discharge papers, including federal form DD-214.

PSC 185.30(3)(c)2.e. e. Valid student identification card with the applicant’s photo.

PSC 185.30(3)(c)2.f. f. Current employee photo identification card that includes information, such as the employer’s telephone number or address, which can be used for verification purposes.

PSC 185.30(3)(c)2.g. g. Letter of identification from a social service agency or employer that includes information, such as the agency or employer’s telephone number or address, which can be used for verification purposes.

PSC 185.30(3)(d) (d)

PSC 185.30(3)(d)1. 1. A utility shall accept any one of the following items as adequate verification of an applicant’s residency, although it may accept other forms of verification:

PSC 185.30(3)(d)1.a. a. Current utility bill.

PSC 185.30(3)(d)1.b. b. Current financial institution statement.

PSC 185.30(3)(d)1.c. c. Rental agreement.

PSC 185.30(3)(d)1.d. d. Documents indicating home purchase.

PSC 185.30(3)(d)1.e. e. Current paycheck or pay stub showing the applicant’s name and address, and the employer’s name.

PSC 185.30(3)(d)1.f. f. Verification of address provided by a social service or government agency.

PSC 185.30(3)(d)2. 2. A utility may require an applicant to provide information that may be used for verification purposes, such as a telephone number or address, if the applicant submits one of the items in subd. 1. b., c., e., or f. to the utility.

PSC 185.30(3)(e) (e) If a request for verification of identity or residency is based on par. (a) 2., the utility may require that the applicant provide the information in s. 196.23 (1), Stats.

PSC 185.30(3)(f) (f) If a utility requests information under this subsection, it shall inform the applicant of all items that are acceptable for verification of identity or residency, and allow the applicant to choose which items the applicant wishes to provide.

PSC 185.30(3)(g) (g) If an applicant refuses to provide the information under pars. (c) or (d) or a utility finds, with reasonable certainty, that the verification is falsified, the utility may request an additional item, refuse service or disconnect service.

PSC 185.30(4) (4) Processing applications and providing notice.

PSC 185.30(4)(a) (a) Except under exceptional circumstances, a utility shall approve or deny an application for service no later than 10 calendar days after receipt of the information required under this section. An unexpectedly high volume of requests for service shall not constitute exceptional circumstances.

PSC 185.30(4)(b) (b) A utility shall notify the applicant in writing within 5 days of its denial. A utility may notify an applicant verbally before written notification is sent. An application shall be considered denied when a service refusal has been finalized and no immediate conditions that could change that refusal remain. The notification shall include all of the following:

PSC 185.30(4)(b)1. 1. An explanation of why service is being refused.

PSC 185.30(4)(b)2. 2. The applicant’s right to ask commission staff to review the refusal.

PSC 185.30(4)(b)3. 3. The commission’s address, telephone number and web site.

PSC 185.30 Note Note: For example, if a utility has told a customer that it would supply service if the customer makes a payment, enters a deferred payment agreement or provides additional identity or residency information under sub. (3), the refusal is still conditional and has not been finalized.

PSC 185.30(4)(c) (c) If a third party applies for service, a utility shall send written notification of the application to the most recent previous address of the person responsible for payment and the address for which service has been requested.

PSC 185.30(4)(d) (d) If an applicant indicates that a third party is responsible for payment, a utility shall send written notification of the approval or denial of an application to both the third party and the applicant within 5 days of the application’s approval or denial, although a utility may notify the third party and applicant before written confirmation is sent. If service is refused, the written notification shall include the information in par. (b) 1. to 3.

PSC 185.30 History History: CR 13-048: cr. Register July 2014 No. 703, eff. 8-1-14.

PSC 185.305 PSC 185.305 Application for nonresidential service.

PSC 185.305(1) (1) For purposes of this section, “written” or “in writing” means legibly printed on paper or, with the intended recipient’s permission, legibly printed in an electronic form that the recipient can electronically store and retrieve for future reference.

PSC 185.305(2) (2) 

PSC 185.305(2)(a) (a) If a utility requires an application, a user of water service shall apply for service in a form specified by the utility.

PSC 185.305(2)(b) (b) A utility may require a verbal or written application for nonresidential service. The utility shall establish a written policy for when a written application is required. A utility may accept an application for service from a person other than the user or potential user of service

PSC 185.305(2)(c) (c) The utility may only require that an applicant provide the following information in an application:

PSC 185.305(2)(c)1. 1. Legal name of the user of service and the person responsible for bill payment, if different than the user.

PSC 185.305(2)(c)2. 2. Telephone number of the user of service and the person responsible for bill payment, if different than the user.

PSC 185.305(2)(c)3. 3. Address where service is to be provided.

PSC 185.305(2)(c)4. 4. Mailing address if different from service address.

PSC 185.305(2)(c)5. 5. Date requested for service to begin.

PSC 185.305(2)(c)6. 6. The most recent previous address of the person responsible for bill payment.

PSC 185.305(2)(c)7. 7. Credit information under par. (e).

PSC 185.305(2)(c)8. 8. Initial identification data under par. (f).

PSC 185.305(2)(d) (d) A utility may request information other than that listed in par. (c), but before requesting it the utility shall inform the applicant that providing that information is optional.

PSC 185.305(2)(e) (e) A utility may request reasonable credit information from a nonresidential applicant as part of its application for service. A utility shall establish a written policy about when it will request credit information and what credit information it will request.

PSC 185.305(2)(f) (f) A utility shall accept any of the following items as adequate initial identification data, although it may accept other forms of identification: