N.H. Admin. Code § Puc 1203.15

Current through Register No. 45, November 7, 2024

Section Puc 1203.15 - Denial of Service

(a) If the relevant statute of limitations has not yet run, a utility may deny new service to any applicant due to an outstanding arrearage with that particular utility for prior service.

(b) If the relevant statute of limitations has run, a utility may deny new service to any applicant due to an outstanding arrearage with that particular utility for prior service if the utility has pursued recovery of the debt through the court system.

(c) A utility shall not deny new residential utility service to any applicant with whom either:

(1) A reasonable payment arrangement can be made under Puc 1203.07; or

(2) The utility has a current payment arrangement under Puc 1203.07.

(d) In order to prevent the practice of name-swapping, a utility may deny new utility service to any applicant due to an outstanding arrearage with that particular utility for prior service furnished in the name of a person other than the applicant as follows:

(1) For residential service, the utility may deny new utility service when the following statements are true about the applicant and the above-mentioned person other than the applicant in whose name prior service was furnished:

a. They resided together at the address where the arrearage was incurred;

b. They both received the benefit of the utility service;

c. They both will benefit from the applied for utility service; and

d. The applicant refuses to enter into a reasonable payment arrangement pursuant to Puc 1203.07 for an outstanding arrearage for which the applicant is responsible pursuant to this section; and

(2) For non-residential service, the utility may deny new utility service when the following statements are true about the applicant and the above-mentioned person other than the applicant in whose name prior service was furnished:

a. They were principals of a business at the address where the arrearage was incurred;

b. They both received the benefit of the utility service; and

c. They both will benefit from the applied for utility service.

(e) The utility shall provide the applicant described in (d)(1) with the toll-free telephone number of the commission's consumer division if the applicant disputes the transfer of responsibility for the outstanding arrearage.

(f) Utilities shall maintain records showing the annual number of and reasons for denials of applications for service.

N.H. Admin. Code § Puc 1203.15

#6245, eff 5-14-96; ss by #8075, INTERIM, eff 4-29-04, EXPIRES: 10-26-04; ss by #8192, eff 10-22-04; ss by #9990, eff 9-16-11

Amended by Volume XL Number 19, Filed May 7, 2020, Proposed by #13031, Effective 6/9/2020, Expires 6/9/2030.