PSC 134.0622(6)(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 134.0622(6)(f) (f) Failure to pay an estimated bill other than a bill rendered pursuant to an approved meter reading plan.

PSC 134.0622(7) (7) 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 134.0622(8) (8) 

PSC 134.0622(8)(a) (a) A utility shall not disconnect commercial or farm service for reasons enumerated in sub. (2) unless written notice is sent to the customer by first class mail or personally served at least 8 calendar days prior to the day of the proposed disconnection. If disconnection is not accomplished on or before the 15th 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 134.0622(8)(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 134.0622(8)(b)1. 1. The date of the notice.

PSC 134.0622(8)(b)2. 2. The proposed date of disconnection.

PSC 134.0622(8)(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 134.0622(8)(b)4. 4. That if disconnection of service will aggravate an existing medical or protective services emergency, the occupant should contact the utility immediately.

PSC 134.0622(8)(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 134.0622(8)(c)1. 1. The name and address of the customer and the address of the service, if different.

PSC 134.0622(8)(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 134.0622(8)(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.

PSC 134.0622(8)(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 134.0622(9) (9) 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 of service, and explain what actions must be taken to avoid disconnection. The utility shall keep a record of these contacts and contact attempts.

PSC 134.0622(10) (10) 

PSC 134.0622(10)(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 134.0622(10)(b) (b) If a disputed issue cannot be resolved pursuant to s. PSC 134.064 (1), the utility shall inform the customer of the right to appeal to the public service commission.

PSC 134.0622(11) (11) 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 134.064, and proper service personnel are readily available to restore service 24 hours per day.

PSC 134.0622 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1989, No. 406, eff. 11-1-89; correction in (2) (g) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register April 2007 No. 616; correction in (2) (g) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register March 2023 No. 807.

PSC 134.0623 PSC 134.0623 Reconnection of service.

PSC 134.0623(1) (1) 

PSC 134.0623(1)(a) (a) By June 1 of each year, or at a date designated by order of the commission, each gas utility in Wisconsin serving more than 400,000 customers shall submit a fall reconnection plan for review and approval by commission order. The plan shall provide reasonable means, including a time table 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.

PSC 134.0623(1)(b) (b) Prior to October 15 of each year, or at a date designated by order of the commission, all gas utilities serving fewer than 400,000 customers 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 agreements. If a letter, telephone call or personal visit 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.

PSC 134.0623(1)(c) (c) For any household remaining disconnected after October 25, 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, any gas 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 134.0623(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 to that dwelling. On other dates designated by order of the commission, a utility shall file periodic reports with the commission listing the number of assumed to be occupied dwellings where service remains disconnected.

PSC 134.0623(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 134.0623 History History: Emerg. cr. 11-7-84; cr. Register, December, 1984, No. 348, eff. 1-1-85; am. Register, December, 1987, No. 384, eff. 1-1-88; emerg. r. and recr. eff. 10-25-88; r. and recr. Register, October, 1989, No. 406, eff. 11-1-89.