Section 56.53. Deposit hold period and refund

(a) A public utility may hold a deposit until a timely payment history is established or for a maximum period of 24 months.

(b) A timely payment history is established when a customer has paid in full and on time for 12 consecutive months.

(c) At the end of the deposit holding period as established in subsection (a), the public utility shall deduct the outstanding balance from the deposit and return or credit any positive difference to the customer. At the option of the utility, a cash deposit, including accrued interest, may be refunded in whole or in part, at any time earlier than the time stated in this section.

(d) If service is terminated before the end of the deposit holding period as established in subsection (a), the public utility shall deduct the outstanding balance from the deposit and return any positive difference to the customer within 60 days of the termination.

(e) If a customer becomes delinquent before the end of the deposit holding period as established in subsection (a), the public utility may deduct the outstanding balance from the deposit.

The provisions of this § 56.53 adopted June 16, 1978, effective June 17, 1978, 8 Pa.B. 1655; amended April 8, 1983, effective April 9, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 1250; amended July 17, 1998, effective August 17, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 3379; amended October 7, 2011, effective October 8, 2011, 41 Pa.B. 5473. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (246331) to (246332).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 56.53 amended under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 501, 504—506, 1301, 1305, Chapter 14, 1501 and 1504.

Cross References

This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 56.55 (relating to periodic review).