Md. Code Regs. 20.59.05.02

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 21, October 18, 2024

Section 20.59.05.02 - Utility Responsibilities in the Event of Supplier Default

A. A supplier that is unable to deliver gas because the Commission revokes or suspends the supplier's retail gas license is considered a defaulted supplier.

B. A defaulted supplier is prohibited from issuing bills to persons who were customers at the time of the default unless specifically authorized by the Commission. A request to authorize a supplier to bill directly may be made by the supplier or by the applicable utility.

C. In order that supplier charges may be included in utility consolidated billing services, a defaulted supplier and the utility shall abide by the Commission-accepted gas utility supplier coordination agreement or tariff, as applicable.

D. A defaulted supplier using utility consolidated billing services remains obligated to provide the utility with information necessary to allow the utility to continue consolidated billing through the conclusion of the billing cycle in which the default occurred.

E. Supplier Ineligible to Provide Supplier-Consolidated Billing.

(1) A supplier shall be ineligible to provide supplier-consolidated billing service if:

(a) The supplier is in default under §A of this regulation; or

(b) The supplier has not paid the utility for purchased receivables 30 days after the date that the payment was due to the utility.

(2) Unless otherwise directed by the Commission, a supplier using supplier-consolidated billing services who is considered to be ineligible to provide supplier-consolidated billing services may issue bills to persons who were customers for charges incurred before the date of ineligibility.

(3) Unless authorized by the Commission, a supplier using supplier-consolidated billing and considered to be ineligible to provide supplier consolidated billing services may not issue consolidated customer bills on or after the date of ineligibility.

(4) A supplier may continue to provide a bill solely for supplier charges to customers who were using supplier-consolidated billing after the date of ineligibility if the supplier offers dual billing through that utility; otherwise the customer will be returned to sales service.

Md. Code Regs. 20.59.05.02

Regulations .02 adopted as an emergency provision effective July 16, 2009 (36:17 Md. R. 1311); adopted permanently effective October 5, 2009 (36:20 Md. R. 1532); amended effective 49:5 Md. R.367, eff. 3/7/2022