(1)
(a) By June 1 of each year, or at a date
designated by order of the commission, each gas utility in Wisconsin serving
more than 400,000 customers shall submit a fall reconnection plan for review
and approval by commission order. The plan shall provide reasonable means,
including a time table for personal contacts, that will be used to assure that
all premises to which service was disconnected within the past 12 months and
remains disconnected for nonpayment shall be contacted prior to October 25, or
at a date set by commission order, to inform them of available payment options
such as budget billing or deferred payment agreements.
(b) Prior to October 15 of each year, or at a
date designated by order of the commission, all gas utilities serving fewer
than 400,000 customers shall attempt by letter, telephone, or personal visit to
contact all households at premises to which service was disconnected within the
past 12 months and remains disconnected for nonpayment and inform them of
available payment options such as budget billing or deferred payment
agreements. If a letter, telephone call or personal visit does not result in a
response from an adult member of the household by October 15 or at a date
designated by order of the commission, a subsequent personal visit shall be
made no later than October 25, or at a date designated by order of the
commission.
(c) For any household
remaining disconnected after October 25, the utility shall continue its efforts
to have a personal contact with the household and determine its situation. The
utility shall make a personal contact attempt after the date of disconnection
and before November 1 for any household disconnected between October 15 and
October 31. If, during any of the contacts made to carry out this section, any
gas utility or its representative observes a danger to human health or life due
to the disconnection, the utility shall immediately restore service. A record
shall be made of all contacts and attempted contacts made to comply with this
section.
(2) By November
15th of each year, a utility shall file a report with the commission stating
the number of dwellings assumed to be occupied where service remains
disconnected as of November 1 or later and the reason that service has not been
reconnected to that dwelling. On other dates designated by order of the
commission, a utility shall file periodic reports with the commission listing
the number of assumed to be occupied dwellings where service remains
disconnected.
(3) A utility shall
cooperate with law enforcement and social service agencies in instances
involving protective services emergencies. The utility shall refer to the
appropriate social service agency any situation it identifies in its
reconnection efforts where it appears that intervention by a social service
agency is appropriate. Local law enforcement and social service agencies may
use the commission's dispute resolution process on behalf of a household
without service because of nonpayment.
