Chapter PSC 134

PSC 134.04 History History: 1-2-56; r. and recr. Register, February, 1959, No. 38, eff. 3-1-59; reprinted to restore dropped copy, Register, February, 1985, No. 350.

PSC 134.05 PSC 134.05 Information available to customers.

PSC 134.05(1) (1) Each utility shall have available in its offices where payments are received, copies of its rates and rules applicable to the locality. The rates and rules shall be available for customer inspection and reasonable notice as to their availability shall be provided to customers.

PSC 134.05(2) (2) Each gas utility, for every municipality in which it serves, shall provide in the respective telephone directories a telephone listing by which the utility can be notified during a 24-hour day of any utility service deficiency or emergency which may exist.

PSC 134.05(3) (3) Where a second language is common in a particular area served by the utility and so identified by the commission, all rules pertaining to billing and credit shall be available upon customer request for distribution in English and that second language in every business office of the utility in that area accessible to the public and where customer payments are received.

PSC 134.05(4) (4) Each utility shall provide written notice to its residential customers annually, and a written notice to all new residential customers, at a minimum, of the rules on deposits, payment options including deferred payment agreements and budget billing, disconnection and dispute procedures; of the availability of information on energy conservation practices, of the advisability of setting water heater thermostats no higher than 125° Fahrenheit, of the availability of the customer’s actual gas consumption (or actual degree-day gas consumption) for each billing period during the prior 12 months or the actual number of months that the customer has lived at that location if less than 12 months, and of the availability of agencies or programs which may provide financial aid assistance or counseling. Such notice shall contain a reply procedure to allow customers an opportunity to advise the utility of any special circumstances, such as the presence of infants or elderly persons or the use of human life-sustaining equipment, and to advise the utility to contact a specific third-party agency or individual prior to any disconnection action being taken.

PSC 134.05(5) (5) A utility shall provide on request to current or prospective customers, tenants or property owners residential energy consumption information. 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 134.05 History History: 1-2-56; r. and recr. Register, February, 1959, No. 38, eff. 3-1-59; renum. PSC 134.05 to be PSC 134.05 (1); cr. (2), Register, January, 1965, No. 109, eff. 2-1-65; am. (1), renum. (2) to be (3) and cr. (2) and (4), Register, January, 1975, No. 229, eff. 2-1-75; am. Register, March, 1979, No. 279, eff. 4-1-79; am. (4), Register, October, 1980, No. 298, eff. 11-1-80; am. (4) and cr. (5), Register, October, 1989, No. 406, eff. 11-1-89.

PSC 134.051 PSC 134.051 Application for residential service.

PSC 134.051(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 134.051(2) (2) 

PSC 134.051(2)(a) (a) A residential user of gas service shall apply for service.

PSC 134.051(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 134.051(2)(c) (c)

PSC 134.051(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 134.051(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 134.051(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 134.051(2)(c)1.c. c. Address where service is to be provided.

PSC 134.051(2)(c)1.d. d. Mailing address if different from service address.

PSC 134.051(2)(c)1.e. e. Date requested for service to begin.

PSC 134.051(2)(c)1.f. f. The most recent previous address of the person responsible for bill payment.

PSC 134.051(2)(c)1.g. g. Initial identification data under subd. 2.

PSC 134.051(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 134.051(2)(c)2.a. a. Driver’s license number.

PSC 134.051(2)(c)2.b. b. State identification card number.

PSC 134.051(2)(c)2.c. c. Passport number.

PSC 134.051(2)(c)2.d. d. Social security number or the last 4 digits of the social security number.

PSC 134.051(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 134.051(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 134.051 Note Note: Also see s. PSC 134.061, which allows a request for a deposit if an applicant has an outstanding account balance that accrued within the last 6 years.

PSC 134.051(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 134.051(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 134.051 Note Note: See sub. (3) (a) about what can be required if an applicant refuses to provide the initial identification data under s. PSC 134.051 (2) (c) 1. g.

PSC 134.051(3) (3) Identity and residency verification.

PSC 134.051(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 134.051(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 134.051(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 134.051(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 134.051(3)(b) (b) A utility shall establish a written policy for when it will require verification of identity or residency under par. (a).

PSC 134.051(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 134.051(3)(c)1. 1. Any one of the following items:

PSC 134.051(3)(c)1.a. a. Valid driver’s license or other photo identification issued by a state, U.S., or tribal governmental entity.

PSC 134.051(3)(c)1.b. b. Valid U.S. military or military dependent identification card.

PSC 134.051(3)(c)1.c. c. Valid passport.

PSC 134.051(3)(c)2. 2. Any two of the following items:

PSC 134.051(3)(c)2.a. a. Social security card.

PSC 134.051(3)(c)2.b. b. Certified copy of a marriage certificate.

PSC 134.051(3)(c)2.c. c. Certified copy of a judgment of divorce or legal separation.

PSC 134.051(3)(c)2.d. d. Military discharge papers, including federal form DD-214.

PSC 134.051(3)(c)2.e. e. Valid student identification card with the applicant’s photo.

PSC 134.051(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 134.051(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 134.051(3)(d) (d)

PSC 134.051(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 134.051(3)(d)1.a. a. Current utility bill.

PSC 134.051(3)(d)1.b. b. Current financial institution statement.

PSC 134.051(3)(d)1.c. c. Rental agreement.

PSC 134.051(3)(d)1.d. d. Documents indicating home purchase.

PSC 134.051(3)(d)1.e. e. Current paycheck or pay stub showing the applicant’s name and address, and the employer’s name.

PSC 134.051(3)(d)1.f. f. Verification of address provided by a social service or government agency.

PSC 134.051(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 134.051(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 134.051(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 134.051(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 134.051(4) (4) Processing applications and providing notice.

PSC 134.051(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 unexpected high volume of requests for service shall not constitute exceptional circumstances.

PSC 134.051(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 134.051(4)(b)1. 1. An explanation of why service is being refused.

PSC 134.051(4)(b)2. 2. The applicant’s right to ask commission staff to review the refusal.

PSC 134.051(4)(b)3. 3. The commission’s address, telephone number and web site.

PSC 134.051 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 134.051(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 134.051(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 134.051 History History: CR 13-048: cr. Register July 2014 No. 703, eff. 8-1-14.

PSC 134.053 PSC 134.053 Application for commercial and farm service.

PSC 134.053(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 134.053(2) (2) 

PSC 134.053(2)(a) (a) A user of gas service shall apply for service in a form specified by the utility.

PSC 134.053(2)(b) (b) A utility may require a verbal or written application for commercial or farm 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 134.053(2)(c) (c) The utility may only require that an applicant provide the following information in an application:

PSC 134.053(2)(c)1. 1. Legal name of the user of service and the person responsible for bill payment, if different than the user.

PSC 134.053(2)(c)2. 2. Telephone number of the user of service and the person responsible for bill payment, if different than the user.

PSC 134.053(2)(c)3. 3. Address where service is to be provided.

PSC 134.053(2)(c)4. 4. Mailing address if different from service address.

PSC 134.053(2)(c)5. 5. Date requested for service to begin.

PSC 134.053(2)(c)6. 6. The most recent previous address of the person responsible for bill payment.

PSC 134.053(2)(c)7. 7. Credit information under par. (e).

PSC 134.053(2)(c)8. 8. Initial identification data under par. (f).

PSC 134.053(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.