Administrative Rules of Montana
Department 38 - PUBLIC SERVICE REGULATION
Chapter 38.5 - UTILITY DIVISION
Subchapter 38.5.60 - Electric and Natural Gas Utility Restructuring Consumer Information and Protection
Rule 38.5.6004 - SMALL CUSTOMER SERVICE CONTRACT

(1) All rates, terms, and conditions for supply service must be provided to a small customer in a service contract, written in plain language. The service contract must include the letter of authorization required by ARM 38.5.6002 and the letter of authorization must be returned by the customer to the supplier before any supply service is provided. The front page of a service contract shall prominently and clearly disclose in a uniform information label prescribed by the commission and as available on the commission's internet web site:

(2) The service contract must include the information required to appear on the information label and:

(3) No supplier, regulated distribution utility, transmission service provider, energy service provider, metering service provider, billing service provider, or other company or individual involved in the sale or delivery of natural gas, may disclose individual customer information to others without prior written consent from the customer except as provided by commission rule or order.

(4) Small customers shall have a 3-day grace period from the time of entering into a service contract to notify the supplier of termination of the contract without incurring liability for supply services not consumed or taken under the contract. A supplier may not inform the distribution utility of the customer's decision to change suppliers until after the 3-day grace period elapses.

(5) Small customers may terminate a service contract without incurring liability for supply services not consumed or taken under the contract by notifying the supplier that the customer is relocating outside the geographic area served by the supplier, or is moving to a location where the customer is not responsible for payment of the service consumed.

(6) A supplier must notify its affected customers, the commission and the distribution companies in writing at least 60 days prior to ceasing business under an existing license or terminating service to an entire customer segment.

(7) The contract must clearly explain that distribution and transmission charges remain regulated, are not provided by the supplier, and shall identify which entity, the distribution utility or the supplier, will bill the customer for distribution and transmission charges.

(8) Each supplier must provide its service contract to a customer upon request.

(9) At least 60 days prior to the expiration date of the customer's service contract, the supplier must provide written notice to the customer of either:

(10) If the service contract contains an automatic renewal provision, the supplier may not change the terms and conditions of the contract upon the renewal date unless the customer has been provided with written notice of the changes at least 60 days in advance of their effective date and of his or her right to change suppliers rather than renew the contract. With the written notice of contract changes, the supplier must provide the customer a letter of authorization approving the contract changes to return to the supplier. Without a signed letter of authorization, the supplier may not renew the contract.