Section 56.141. Dispute procedures

A notice of dispute, including termination disputes, must proceed, according to this section:

(1) Attempted resolution. If, at any time prior to the actual termination of service, a customer advises the public utility that the customer disputes any matter covered by this chapter, including, but not limited to, credit determinations, deposit requirements, the accuracy of public utility metering or billing or the proper party to be charged, the public utility shall attempt to resolve the dispute in accordance with § 56.151 (relating to general rule).

(2) Termination stayed. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, when a termination dispute or complaint has been properly filed in accordance with this subchapter, termination shall be prohibited until resolution of the dispute or complaint. However, the disputing party shall pay undisputed portions of the bill.

The provisions of this § 56.141 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 October 7, 2011, effective October 8, 2011, 41 Pa.B. 5473. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (339438) and (337353).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 56.141 amended under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 331, 501, 504, 1301, 1305, Chapter 14, 1501 and 1504.

Notes of Decisions

Attempted Resolution

The utility did not improperly require customers to talk to the utility before filing a complaint with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, where the regulations require the public utilities to attempt to resolve a dispute with a customer before any informal or formal complaint is filed with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, and where the language used by the utility in its billing statement complied with 52 Pa. Code § 56.2. Aronson v. Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, 740 A.2d 1208 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1999); appeal denied 751 A.2d 193 (Pa. 2000).

Cross References

This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 56.16 (relating to transfer of accounts); 52 Pa. Code § 62.224 (relating to POR programs); and 52 Pa. Code § 111.13 (relating to customer complaints).