D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 15, r. 15-310

Current through Register Vol. 72, No. 2, January 10, 2025

Rule 15-310 - GROUNDS FOR DISCONNECTION

310.1

A Utility may disconnect service for any of the following reasons:

(a) The Customer does not pay;

(b) The Customer does not enter into a DPA or breaches an applicable DPA;

(c) Service is being used but no occupant or other person has applied for Customer status at the location;

(d) There is unauthorized use, diversion or interference with utility service on or about the customer's premises;

(e) The Customer fails to allow access to the premises to inspect, service, install, replace, read, or remove a Meter or remote recording device or allow access to other equipment, when the Utility has requested access in writing;

(f) There is an unsafe condition or an adverse effect on the integrity of an energy or telecommunications delivery system or violation of a government statute, regulation or Commission-approved Tariff provision;

(g) The Utility has reason to believe that there is fraud or that the Customer has misrepresented his or her identity in order to obtain Utility service;

(h) Application for utility service was made in the name of an individual who is not an occupant of the dwelling unit without disclosure of the individual's actual address and without written authorization by such individual;

(i) Application for utility service was made in the name of a third party without disclosing that fact or without bona fide authority from the third party;

(j) Application was made by an individual for the purpose of assisting another occupant of a dwelling unit to avoid payment of that occupant's prior outstanding bill;

(k) Application was made by an individual who cannot legally enter into or contract for service, such as an un-emancipated minor; or

(l) Failure to comply with an order of the Commission.

310.2

A Natural Gas or Electric Utility shall not initiate Disconnection of service or disconnect service without the consent of the Customer in the following circumstances:

(a) The amount overdue stated on the Disconnection notice includes an unpaid amount owed from a different Account, unless the amount was properly transferred to the Customer's Account balance; or an amount owed from Estimated Bills, unless the Utility has attempted reasonable alternatives to obtain a reading of the Meter; or

(b) Failure of a Customer to pay for merchandise, appliances or nonresidential Utility services.

310.3

Disconnection of natural gas or electric utility service for non-payment of bills, failure to post a cash Security Deposit, or failure to comply with the terms of a DPA where natural gas or electricity is used as the primary source of heating or cooling the residence is prohibited:

(a) An Electric Utility shall not disconnect residential electric service during the day preceding and the day of a forecast of extreme temperature,or if the forecast of extreme temperature precedes a holiday or weekend day, or on any day during a holiday or weekend,when the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast for the District of Columbia is ninety-five (95º) degrees Fahrenheit or above or thirty-two (32°) degrees Fahrenheit or below during any time of a day as based on the NWS actual temperature forecasts and NWS windchill factor and heat index temperature forecasts; or

(b) A Natural Gas Utility shall not disconnect residential gas service during the day preceding and the day of a forecast of extreme temperature, or if the forecast of extreme temperature precedes a holiday or weekend day, or on any day during a holiday or weekend, when the NWS forecast for the District of Columbia is thirty-two (32°) degrees Fahrenheit or below during any time of a day as based on the NWS actual temperature forecasts and NWS windchill factor.

¹RM3-2019-01, In the Matter of the Investigation in to the Public Service Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, Office of the People's Counsel for the District of Columbia's Petition to Amend the Final Rules Adopted in Order No. 19759 at 1, filed January 18, 2019.See 65 D.C. Reg. 13506-13523 (December 14, 2018).

² 66 DCR6201-6202 (May 17, 2019); and, 66 DCR 12190-12191 (September 13, 2019).

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 15, r. 15-310

Final Rulemaking published at 25 DCR 10381, 10405 (June 1, 1979); as amended by Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 55 DCR 10014 (September 26, 2008); as amended by Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 55 DCR 12494 (December 12, 2008); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 65 DCR 13506 (12/14/2018); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 66 DCR 16242 (12/13/2019)

Formerly 15 DCMR § 310, "Grounds for Termination."

Authority: The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia ("Commission") pursuant to D.C. Official Code, 2001 Ed. § 2 -505 and § 34 -802.