Michigan Administrative Code
Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Public Service Commission
Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service
Part 8 - PROCEDURES FOR SHUTOFF AND RESTORATION OF SERVICE
Section R. 460.139 - Notice of shut off

(1) Not less than 10 days before the proposed shut off of service, pursuant to the provisions of R 460.140, R 460.142 and R 460.143, a utility shall send a notice to the customer by first-class mail, or personal service.

(2) The utility shall send the 10-day notice to the account name and address and to the address where service is provided if the service address is different and the notice can be delivered at that address. A utility shall maintain a record of the date the notice was sent.

(3) A utility shall permit a customer to designate a consenting individual or agency to receive a copy of a notice of shut off.

(4) Not less than 30 days before the proposed shut off of service to a single-metered dwelling that is used as a residence for 3 or more separate households, a utility shall transmit a notice to each dwelling unit that indicates that the customer of record, the landlord, has failed to pay an outstanding bill and is subject to shutoff of service on or after a specified date.

(5) Not less than 10 days before the proposed shut off of service to a nonresidential facility that is occupied by more than 5 business entities that are not responsible for payment of the bill, a utility shall make a reasonable attempt to notify each occupant that service may be subject to shut off after a specified date.

(6) For an involuntary shut off, at least 1 day before shut off of service, the utility shall make not less than 2 attempts to contact the customer by telephone, if a telephone number is available to the utility, to advise the customer of the shutoff and what steps the customer must take to avoid shutoff. If the utility uses an automated notification system, the utility shall document the process for ensuring that at least 2 attempts are made to notify the customer of the pending shutoff. If the telephone number is not available, the customer has no telephone, or the utility chooses not to make telephone contacts, the utility shall either leave a notice at the premises advising the customer that service will be shut off on or after the next business day or send notice by first-class mail postmarked at least 5 business days before shutoff of service is scheduled. The utility shall document all attempts to contact the customer. The 10-day notice sent under subrule (1) or (5) of this rule shall be considered as 1 attempt.