Okla. Admin. Code § 165:45-11-1

Current through Vol. 42, No. 7, December 16, 2024

Section 165:45-11-1 - Deposits and interest

(a) Each utility shall prepare and submit a plan containing criteria for deposits to the Commission for approval. The plans shall include criteria for residential and nonresidential consumers with residential being defined in each utility's tariff.

(1) The residential plan shall conform to all subsections of this Section.

(2) The nonresidential plan shall conform to all subsections of this Section except (b), (c), (d) and (k).

(b) No utility shall require a deposit of a residential consumer who has received the same or similar type and classification of service for twelve (12) consecutive months and service was not terminated for nonpayment nor was payment late more than twice nor was a check for payment dishonored. The twelve (12) month service period shall have been within eighteen (18) months prior to the application for new service. The utility plan may establish other relevant criteria which will qualify the consumer for nonpayment of a deposit.

(c) No utility shall require a deposit of more than one-sixth (1/6) the estimated annual bill. The utility may allow smaller deposits to be made in conformance with relevant objective criteria written in the utility's plan. The utility plan may allow consumers to pay deposits in installments. The utility may also require consumers to pay the entire deposit prior to initiating service.

(d) A residential consumer may be required to post a deposit as a condition of continued service if undisputed charges have become delinquent, with delinquent meaning a payment not received on or before the due date as posted on the bill, in two (2) out of the last twelve (12) billing periods or if the consumer has had service disconnected during the last twelve (12) months pursuant to OAC 165:45-11-11 or has presented a check subsequently dishonored.

(e) A non-residential consumer may be required to post a deposit as a condition of continued service if undisputed charges have become delinquent, with delinquent meaning a payment not received on or before the due date as posted on the bill, in two (2) out of the last twenty-four (24) billing periods or if the consumer has had service disconnected during the last twenty-four (24) months pursuant to OAC 165:45-11-11 or has presented a check subsequently dishonored.

(f) Interest shall be paid on cash deposits by the utility at no less than the rate calculated as follows:

(1) For all consumer deposits returned within one (1) year or less, the interest rate shall be established the 1st day of January of each year to equal the average of the weekly percent annual yields of one (1) year U.S. Treasury Securities for September, October, and November of the preceding year. The interest rate shall be rounded to the nearest basis point.

(2) For all consumer deposits held by the utility for more than one (1) year, the interest rate shall be established the 1st day of January of each year to equal the average of the weekly percent annual yields of 10-year U.S. Treasury Securities for September, October, and November of the preceding year. The interest rate shall be rounded to the nearest basis point. The utility may pay the average of the one (1) year Treasury Security, as referenced in subsection (e)(1) of this Section, for the first year the deposit is held.

(3) Provided, however, that after the interest rate is initially established pursuant to this subsection, the interest rate(s) shall not change unless the application of the formula in paragraph (1) and/or (2) of this subsection results in a change in interest rate(s) that is/are greater than fifty (50) basis points.

(4) The PUD Director shall calculate the interest rates as pursuant to (e)(1) and (2) of this Section, and shall mail notice to the gas utilities by December 15th of each year, only if a change in the rate(s) is/are necessary pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section, otherwise the current interest rate(s) will remain in effect.

(g) If refund of deposit is made within thirty (30) days of receipt of deposit, no interest payment is required. If the utility retains the deposit more than thirty (30) days, payment of interest shall be made retroactive to the date of deposit. No interest shall accrue on a deposit after final discontinuance of service.

(h) The deposit shall cease to draw interest on the date it is returned or credited to the consumer's account.

(i) The utility plan shall provide the date of payment of interest and whether the interest shall be paid by negotiable instrument or by credit against current billing.

(j) Each consumer posting a cash deposit shall receive a nonassignable receipt in writing at the time the deposit is made or within ten (10) days thereafter. When a consumer pays a deposit as a portion of a gas service bill, payment of the bill shall serve as a receipt for payment of the deposit. If the deposit is not paid by the due date, the amount of the deposit will become a part of the past due amount owed and monies paid shall be applied to the oldest past due amount. The utility plan shall provide reasonable means whereby a depositor who applies for the return of his/her deposit, or any balance to which he/she is entitled, but who is unable to produce the original receipt may not be deprived of this deposit or balance.

(k) No utiltiy shall require a deposit from a customer otherwise exempt by law.

(l) The utility shall automatically refund the deposit for residential service, with accrued interest, after twelve (12) months satisfactory payment of undisputed charges and where payment was not late more than twice; provided, however, that service has not been disconnected within the twelve (12) month period. Payment of a charge shall be deemed satisfactory if received on or prior to the date the bill is due. Payment of a charge shall be deemed not satisfactory if made by a check subsequently dishonored.

(m) The utility shall automatically refund non-residential service deposits of less than $20,000, with accrued interest, after twenty-four (24) months' satisfactory payment of undisputed charges and where payment was not late more than twice; provided, that service has not been disconnected within the twenty-four (24) month period. Non-residential consumers, who meet the above-referenced eligibility criteria, must have a minimum of five (5) years continuous service at the service location with the utility before a deposit will be refunded.

(n) The utility plan shall provide for the review of all residential deposits at least annually and deposits for non-residential service at least every twenty-four (24) months and shall provide that refunds will be paid by negotiable instrument, upon request of the consumer provided the consumer's bill is not delinquent, or by credit against current billing.

(o) The amount of the deposit, with accrued interest, shall be applied to any unpaid charges at the time of a discontinuance of service. The balance, if any, shall be returned to the consumer within thirty (30) days either in person or by mailing it to the consumer's last known address.

(p) The utility shall provide payment of accrued interest for all consumers annually by negotiable instrument or by credit against current billing.

(q) The utility may withhold refund or return of the deposit pending the resolution of a dispute with respect to charges secured by such deposit.

(r) The utility company shall keep records to show:

(1) The name, account number, and address of each depositor;

(2) The amount of the deposit and date received; and,

(3) Each transaction concerning the deposit.

(s) Such records shall be retained for two (2) years after the deposit and/or interest is refunded or applied.

(t) Upon the sale or transfer of any public utility or operating units thereof, the seller shall file with the application of transfer a verified list of all consumers for whom a deposit is being held, the date such deposit was made, the amount thereof, and the unpaid interest thereon. The information provided shall be treated as confidential and shall not be available for public inspection unless ordered by the Commission after notice and hearing.

(u) The deposit made by the consumer with the utility at the time of application for gas service shall not constitute an advance payment to cover service bills, but for all purposes it is to be considered as security for the payment of monthly bills or other proper charges.

Okla. Admin. Code § 165:45-11-1

Amended at 10 Ok Reg 2643, eff 6-25-93; Amended at 11 Ok Reg 3747, eff 7-11-94; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3259, eff 7-25-96; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 2177, eff 7-1-98; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 1808, eff 7-1-05

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 36, Issue 21, July 15, 2019, eff. 7/25/2019

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 41, Issue 23, August 15, 2024, eff. 10/1/2024