Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 38, September 21, 2024
A public utility may discontinue service without prior
written notice under the following circumstances:
(1)
Customer's residence.
When a customer requests a discontinuance at the customer's residence, when the
customer and members of the customer's household are the only
occupants.
(2)
Other
premises or dwellings. Other premises or dwellings as follows:
(i) When a customer requests discontinuance
at a dwelling other than the customer's residence or at a single meter
multifamily residence, whether or not the customer's residence but, in either
case, only under either of the following conditions:
(A) The customer states in writing that the
premises are unoccupied. The statement must be on a form conspicuously bearing
notice that information provided by the customer will be relied upon by the
Commission in administering a system of uniform service standards for public
utilities and that any false statements are punishable criminally. When the
customer fails to provide a notice, or when the customer has falsely stated the
premises are unoccupied, the customer shall be responsible for payment of
public utility bills until the public utility discontinues service.
(B) The occupants affected by the proposed
cessation inform the public utility orally or in writing of their consent to
the discontinuance.
(ii)
When the conditions set forth in subparagraph (i) have not been met, the public
utility, at least 10 days prior to the proposed discontinuance, shall
conspicuously post notice of termination at the affected premises.
(A) When the premises is a multifamily
residence, notice shall also be posted in common areas.
(B) Notices must, at a minimum, state: the
date on or after which discontinuance will occur; the name and address of the
public utility; and the requirements necessary for the occupant to obtain
public utility service in the occupant's name. Further termination provisions
of this chapter, except §
56.97 (relating to procedures upon
customer or occupant contact prior to termination), do not apply in these
circumstances.
(C) This section
does not apply when the customer is a landlord ratepayer. See 66 Pa.C.S. §
§ 1521-1533 (relating to discontinuance of service to leased
premises).
The provisions of this §56.72 amended under the
Public Utility Code,
66 Pa.C.S. §
§
331,
501,
504,
1301,
1305, 1401-1419,
1501,
1504 and
1509.
This section cited in 52 Pa. Code §
56.2 (relating to definitions); 52
Pa. Code §
56.17 (relating to advance
payments); and 52 Pa. Code §
56.93 (relating to personal
contact).
