Section 56.252. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter and Subchapters M—V, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

AMR—Automatic meter reading—

(i) Metering using technologies that automatically read and collect data from metering devices and transfer that data to a central database for billing and other purposes.

(ii) The term does not include remote meter reading devices as defined by this section.

(iii) Meter readings by an AMR shall be deemed actual readings for the purposes of this chapter.

Applicant—

(i) A person at least 18 years of age who applies for residential utility service.

(ii) The term does not include a person who, within 60 days after termination or discontinuance of service, seeks to transfer service within the service territory of the same utility or to reinstate service at the same address.

Basic services—

(i) Services necessary for the physical delivery of residential utility service.

(ii) The term also includes default service as defined in this section.

Billing month—A period of not less than 26 days and not more than 35 days except in the following circumstances:

(i) An initial bill for a new customer may be less than 26 days or greater than 35 days. However, if an initial bill exceeds 60 days, the customer shall be given the opportunity to amortize the amount over a period equal to the period covered by the initial bill without penalty.

(ii) A final bill due to discontinuance may be less than 26 days or greater than 35 days but may never exceed 42 days. In cases involving termination, a final bill may be less than 26 days.

(iii) Bills for less than 26 days or more than 35 days shall be permitted if they result from a rebilling initiated by the company or customer dispute to correct a billing problem.

(iv) Bills for less than 26 days or more than 35 days shall be permitted if they result from a meter reading route change initiated by the utility. The utility shall informally contact the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Services at least 30 days prior to the rerouting and provide information as to when the billing will occur, the number of customers affected and a general description of the geographic area involved. If a bill resulting from a meter rerouting exceeds 60 days, the customer shall be given the opportunity to amortize the amount over a period equal to the period covered by the bill without penalty.

Billing period—In the case of utilities supplying gas, electric and steam heating service, the billing period must conform to the definition of ‘‘billing month.’’ In the case of water and wastewater service, a billing period may be monthly, bimonthly or quarterly as provided in the tariff of the utility. Customers shall be permitted to receive bills monthly and be notified of their rights thereto.

Customer—A person at least 18 years of age in whose name a residential service account is listed and who is primarily responsible for payment of bills rendered for the service.

Customer assistance program—A plan or program sponsored by a utility for the purpose of providing universal service and energy conservation, as defined in 66 Pa.C.S. § 2202 or § 2803 (relating to definitions), in which customers make monthly payments based on household income and household size and under which customers shall comply with certain responsibilities and restrictions to remain eligible for the program.

Cycle billing—A system of billing employed by a utility which results in the normal rendition of bills for utility service to a group or portion of customers on different or specified days of one billing period.

Default service—Electric generation supply service provided under a default service program to a retail electric customer not receiving service from an electric generation supplier.

Delinquent account—Charges for utility service which have not been paid in full by the due date stated on the bill or otherwise agreed upon; provided that an account may not be deemed delinquent if: prior to the due date, a payment agreement with the utility has been entered into by the customer, a timely filed notice of dispute is pending before the utility or, under time limits provided in this chapter, an informal or formal complaint is timely filed with and is pending before the Commission.

Discontinuance of service—The cessation of service with the consent of the customer and otherwise in accordance with § 56.312 (relating to discontinuance of service).

Dispute—A grievance of an applicant, customer or occupant about a utility’s application of a provision covered by this chapter, including, but not limited to, subjects such as credit determinations, deposit requirements, the accuracy of meter readings or bill amounts or the proper party to be charged. If, at the conclusion of an initial contact or, when applicable, a follow-up response, the applicant, customer or occupant indicates satisfaction with the resulting resolution or explanation of the subject of the grievance, the contact will not be considered a dispute.

Dwelling—A house, apartment, mobile home or single meter multiunit structure being supplied with residential service.

Electronic billing—The electronic delivery and presentation of bills and related information sent by a utility to its customers using a system administered by the utility or a system the utility is responsible for maintaining.

Electronic notification of payment—A notification generated by an electronic payment system upon receipt of a payment from a customer using an electronic billing and payment system administered by the utility or a system the utility is responsible for maintaining. The notification must inform the customer of successful receipt and amount of payment and the date and time the payment was received.

Electronic remittance of payment—The electronic receipt of payment from customers to a utility using a system administered by a utility or a system the utility is responsible for maintaining.

Emergency—An unforeseen combination of circumstances requiring temporary discontinuance of service to effect repairs or maintenance or to eliminate an imminent threat to life, health, safety or property.

Federal poverty level—The poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1981 (42 U.S.C.A. § 9902(2)).

Formal complaint—A complaint filed before the Commission requesting a legal proceeding before a Commission administrative law judge or a mediation under the management of a Commission administrative law judge.

Household income—The combined gross income of all adults in a residential household who benefit from the public utility service.

Informal complaint—A complaint with the Commission submitted by a customer that does not involve a legal proceeding before a Commission administrative law judge or a mediation under the management of a Commission administrative law judge.

Initial inquiry—A concern or question of an applicant, customer or occupant about a utility’s application of a provision covered by this chapter, including, but not limited to, subjects such as credit determinations, deposit requirements, the accuracy of meter readings or bill amounts or the proper party to be charged. If a utility, with the consent of the applicant, customer or occupant, offers to review pertinent records and call back the applicant, customer or occupant within 3 business days with a response, the contact will be considered an initial inquiry pending a determination of satisfaction by the applicant, customer or occupant with the company’s response. If the company cannot reach the customer to convey the information obtained through a review of company records, a letter shall be sent which summarizes the information and informs the customer to contact the company within 5 business days if the customer disagrees with the company position, or has additional questions or concerns about the matter.

Natural gas distribution service—The delivery of natural gas to retail gas customers utilizing the jurisdictional facilities of a natural gas distribution utility.

Natural gas distribution utility—A city natural gas distribution operation or entity that provides natural gas distribution services and may provide natural gas supply services and other services.

Natural gas supply services—

(i) The sale or arrangement of the sale of natural gas to retail gas customers and services that may be unbundled by the Commission under 66 Pa.C.S. § 2203(3) (relating to standards for restructuring of natural gas utility industry).

(ii) The term does not include natural gas distribution service.

Nonbasic services—Optional recurring services which are distinctly separate and clearly not required for the physical delivery of utility service or default service.

Nurse practitioner—A registered nurse licensed in this Commonwealth who is certified by the State Board of Nursing in a particular clinical specialty area and who, while functioning in the expanded role as a professional nurse, performs acts of medical diagnosis or prescription of medical therapeutic or corrective measures in collaboration with and under the direction of a physician licensed to practice medicine in this Commonwealth.

Occupant—A natural person who resides in the premises to which utility service is provided.

Payment agreement—A mutually satisfactory written agreement whereby a customer or applicant who admits liability for billed service is permitted to amortize or pay the unpaid balance of the account in one or more payments over a reasonable period of time.

Person—An individual, partnership, corporation, association, including any lessee, assignee, trustee, receiver, executor, administrator and other successors in interest.

Physician—An individual licensed to engage in the practice of medicine and surgery in all of its branches or in the practice of osteopathy or osteopathic surgery by a jurisdiction within the United States of America.

Premises or affected premises—Unless otherwise indicated, the residence of the occupant.

Remote reading device—

(i) A device which by electrical impulse or otherwise transmits readings from a meter, usually located within a residence, to a more accessible location outside of a residence.

(ii) The term does not include the following:

(A) AMR devices as defined in this section.

(B) Devices that permit direct interrogation of the meter.

Residential service—

(i) Utility service supplied to a dwelling, including service provided to a commercial establishment if concurrent service is provided to a residential dwelling attached thereto.

(ii) The term does not include utility service provided to a hotel or motel.

Termination of service—Cessation of service, whether temporary or permanent, without the consent of the ratepayer.

Unauthorized use of utility service—Unreasonable interference or diversion of service, including meter tampering (any act which affects the proper registration of service through a meter), by-passing (unmetered service that flows through a device connected between a service line and customer-owned facilities) and unauthorized service restoral.

User without contract—A person as defined in 66 Pa.C.S. § 102 (relating to definitions) that takes or accepts utility service without the knowledge or approval of the utility, other than the unauthorized use of utility service as defined in this section.

Utility—

(i) A public utility or a municipality, subject to Commission jurisdiction, which provides wastewater services or steam heating services.

(ii) The term also includes natural gas distribution utilities with annual gas operating revenues of less than $6 million per year, except when the public utility seeks to provide natural gas supply services to retail gas customers outside its service territory as provided under 66 Pa.C.S. § 1403 (relating to definitions).

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 56.371 (relating to follow-up response to inquiry); 52 Pa. Code § 56.393 (relating to termination pending resolution of the dispute); 52 Pa. Code § 56.421 (relating to payment and timing); and 52 Pa. Code Chapter 56 Appendix C (relating to definitions (§ 56.231)).