Ohio Administrative Code
Title 4901:1 - Utilities
Chapter 4901:1-17 - Establishment of Credit for Residential Service
Section 4901:1-17-02 - General provisions
Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024
(A) The rules in this chapter apply to all electric, gas, natural gas, waterworks, and sewage disposal utility companies who provide service to residential customers.
(B) Nothing contained in this chapter shall in any way preclude the commission from any of the following:
(C) The rules of this chapter supersede any inconsistent provisions, terms, and conditions of utility company tariffs. A utility company may adopt or maintain tariffs providing greater protection for customers or consumers.
(D) Each utility company shall establish and maintain written credit procedures consistent with these rules that allow an applicant for residential service to establish, or an existing residential customer to reestablish, credit with the utility company. The procedures should be equitable and administered in a nondiscriminatory manner. The utility company, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, handicap, or disability, shall base its credit procedures upon the credit risk of the individual as determined by the utility company without regard to the collective credit reputation of the area in which the residential applicant or customer lives. The utility company shall make its current credit procedures available to applicants and customers upon request and shall provide this information either verbally or in writing, based upon the applicant's or customer's preference.
(E) The rules of this chapter allow the use of electronic transactions and all notices, if the customer and the utility company are both in agreement with such use, and such use is consistent with commission requirements or guidelines. The customer does not affirmatively consent to electronic notices by merely paying the bill electronically. The customer may withdraw consent to communicate electronically at any time.