New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 17 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND UTILITY SERVICES
Chapter 5 - UTILITY INTERCONNECTIVITY AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS
Part 410 - RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER SERVICE BY GAS, ELECTRIC AND RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE UTILITIES
Section 17.5.410.32 - PROHIBITIONS ON DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE
Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
A utility shall not discontinue service for:
A. the failure of a residential customer to pay for special services;
B. the failure of a residential customer to pay for service received at a separate metering point, residence, or location; however, in the event of discontinuance or termination of service at a separate residential metering point, residence, or location, a utility may transfer any unpaid balance due to any other residential service account of the residential customer and proceed in accordance with subsection B of 17.5.410.31 NMAC;
C. the failure of the residential customer to pay for a different class of service received at the same or different location; however, placing more than one meter at the same location for purposes of billing the usage of specific devices under optional rate tariffs or provisions is not construed as a different class of service;
D. nonpayment of the disputed amount of a bill, as provided by 17.5.410.36 NMAC;
E. delinquency in payment for service to a previous occupant of the same premises unless a court has found the new residential customer legally liable for the debt of the previous occupant or the previous occupant continues to reside at the premises;
F. failure of a residential customer to pay the bill of another residential customer as guarantor thereof;
G. failure of a residential customer to pay an estimated bill rendered in violation of 17.5.410.15 NMAC;
H. the failure of a residential customer to pay for service received during the heating season if the residential customer qualifies for winter moratorium protection; or
I. the failure of a residential customer to pay for service received if the utility has received a signed medical certification form and a financial certification form as provided by this rule.
