Alaska Administrative Code
Title 3 - Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Part 7 - Regulatory Commission of Alaska
Chapter 52 - Operation of Public Utilities
Article 5 - Electric Utilities
3 AAC 52.445 - Deferred payment agreements

Universal Citation: 3 AK Admin Code 52.445

Current through February 27, 2024

(a) For a residential customer who demonstrates that economic hardship prevents payment in full of a delinquent bill, a utility may not refuse to restore or continue service unless the customer refuses to agree to or comply with a deferred payment plan meeting the requirements of this section.

(b) A deferred payment agreement between a utility and a residential customer must provide that service will continue if the customer meets all of the following conditions:

(1) the customer agrees to pay one-third, or less at the option of the utility, of the outstanding bill at the time the parties enter into the deferred payment agreement;

(2) the customer agrees to pay all future bills for utility service in accordance with the effective billing and collection tariffs of the utility; and

(3) the customer agrees to pay the remaining outstanding balance in installments over a period not to exceed 12 months.

(c) The duration of a deferred payment agreement must be at least three months unless the customer agrees to a shorter period.

(d) A utility may include provisions for deferred payment agreements with non-residential customers in its tariff, or may negotiate them by special contract.

(e) In determining a reasonable deferred payment schedule, a utility and customer shall consider the following conditions, a list of which must be presented to the customer:

(1) size of the delinquent account;

(2) customer's ability to pay;

(3) customer's payment history;

(4) length of time the debt has been outstanding;

(5) circumstances that resulted in the outstanding debt; and

(6) any other relevant factors related to the circumstances of the customer.

(f) A deferred payment agreement must be in writing and must be signed by the customer and an authorized utility representative. A deferred payment agreement may include a finance charge as specified in the utility's effective tariff, but the charge may not exceed that allowed by AS 45.45.010(a).

(g) A utility shall offer comparable terms and conditions to customers with similar payment problems.

(h) If a customer fails to fulfill the terms of a deferred payment agreement, the utility may disconnect service under 3 AAC 52.450(d). The utility may offer a subsequent deferred payment agreement before disconnecting the customer's service.

Authority:AS 42.05.141

AS 42.05.151

AS 42.05.291

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Alaska may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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