Section 10. Applicability and scope

This chapter is promulgated pursuant to Chapters 500, 662, and 673 of the 2011 Acts of Assembly. The provisions in this chapter apply to investor-owned electric utilities, electric cooperatives, and public utilities providing water service. In order to promote public health and safety, this chapter is designed to establish reasonable limitations, consistent with the public interest, on the ability of investor-owned electric utilities, electric cooperatives, and public utilities providing water service to terminate service to residential customers who have a serious medical condition or to residential customers who reside with a family member with a serious medical condition and to provide such residential customers adequate time prior to the termination of electric or water service to either enter into a payment plan with the utility or make other arrangements for housing or medical care. Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to require an investor-owned electric utility, electric cooperative, or public utility providing water service to terminate service after the expiration of the timelines established herein.

Furthermore, nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to prohibit an investor-owned electric utility, electric cooperative, or public utility providing water service from terminating service in the event of an emergency or in the event an investor-owned electric utility, electric cooperative, or public utility providing water service reasonably believes that theft of service or meter tampering has occurred in connection with the service.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 28, Issue 05, eff. October 31, 2011.

Statutory Authority

Chapters 500, 662, and 673 of the 2011 Acts of Assembly.