N.M. Admin. Code § 17.10.2.7

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 20, October 22, 2024

Section 17.10.2.7 - DEFINITIONS

Unless otherwise specified, as used in this rule:

A. "budget billing plan" means an agreement between a customer and a dealer intended to levelize or average the monthly billing for propane and propane services;

B. "customer" means a purchaser of propane who purchases propane from a dealer to heat the interior of a dwelling or structure or to heat water, is legally liable for the payment of those purchases and does not purchase propane for resale;

C. "customer rate variation" means a variation of prices charged by a propane dealer to customers;

D. "dealer" means a retail distributor of propane who delivers propane to customers' premises and fills propane tanks at those premises;

E. "delinquent" means the status of a bill rendered to a customer for propane service which remains unpaid after the due date of the bill;

F. "important Information for New Mexico propane consumers (IINMPC)" means a document in Spanish and English for residential customers created and updated by the commission and posted on its website that shall contain at a minimum:

(1) the toll-free telephone number of the commission's consumer relations division;

(2) information regarding LIHEAP application forms, qualification requirements, application procedures and locations at which residential customers may submit LIHEAP applications;

(3) information regarding New Mexico energy$mart application forms, qualification requirements, application procedures and locations at which residential delivery customers may submit energy$mart applications; and

(4) other information as may be specified by the commission from time to time such as:

(a) tips for new and existing consumers;

(b) a description of propane;

(c) questions consumers may ask dealers;

(d) service termination rights and obligations as set forth in this rule;

(e) tips for budget billing plans; and

(f) payment plans and payments;

G. "LIHEAP" means the low-income home energy assistance program administered by the New Mexico human services department or a tribe's or pueblo's low-income home energy assistance program administered under Section 27-6-18.1 NMSA 1978;

H. "New Mexico energy$mart" means the low-income weatherization assistance program administered by the New Mexico finance authority;

I. "payment agreement" means an agreement between a dealer and a customer in which the customer makes a series of payments scheduled over a period of more than forty-five (45) days to pay the customer's past due balances;

J. "propane" means liquefied petroleum gas and LP gas;

K. "residential customer" means a person who purchases propane from a dealer to heat the interior of a dwelling house or other structure used as a residence, who is legally liable for the payment of those purchases and who does not purchase propane for resale;

L. "service" means the provision of propane by a dealer to a customer to heat the interior of a dwelling or other structure or to heat water;

M. "schedule of charges" means the documentation provided by the dealer to the customer identifying and serving as notice of all relevant charges and fees and prices related to propane services.

N.M. Admin. Code § 17.10.2.7

17.10.2.7 NMAC - N, 12-15-10