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. 460.142 - Manner of shutoff
Current through Vol. 24-16, September 15, 2024
Rule 42.
(1) Immediately preceding the shut off of service, an employee of the utility who is designated to perform that function may identify himself or herself to the customer or another responsible person at the premises and may announce the purpose of his or her presence.
(2) The employee shall have in his or her possession a copy of the delinquent account of the customer and request any available verification that the outstanding claims have been satisfied or are currently in dispute. Unless the customer presents evidence that reasonably indicates that the claim has been satisfied or is currently in dispute, the employee may shut off service.
(3) The employee may be authorized to accept payment and shall not shut off service if the customer offers payment in full, together with a commission-approved collection charge for sending the employee to the premises, if provided in the utility's schedule of rates and tariffs.
(4) The customer may pay in any reasonable manner, including by personal check, credit card, or debit card. Payment by personal check, credit or debit card is not reasonable if the customer has paid with a personal check, credit card, or debit card within the last 12 months and at least 1 check has been returned for insufficient funds or no account, or at least 1 credit card or debit card payment has been denied excluding financial institution error.
(5) After notice has been provided pursuant to R 460.139, and if the customer does not respond, the employee may shut off service.
(6) When the utility employee shuts off service, the employee shall leave a notice in a conspicuous place upon the premises. For all forms printed after the effective date of these rules, the notice shall state that service has been shut off, the address and telephone number of the utility where the customer may arrange to have service restored, and that any efforts by the customer to restore his or her own service are unlawful and dangerous.
