HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3231

RECONNECTED, AFTER TERMINATION FOR NONPAYMENT OF BILLS, AS A
RESULT OF SATISFYING OUTSTANDING BILLS.

(A) SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS
SECTION, BY SEPTEMBER 1, 1984, THE COMMISSION SHALL PROMULGATE
REGULATIONS RELATING TO WHEN AND UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS THERE
SHOULD BE A PROHIBITION AGAINST OR A LIMITATION UPON THE
AUTHORITY OF A PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY TO TERMINATE, FOR
NONPAYMENT, GAS OR ELECTRIC SERVICE TO LOW INCOME RESIDENTIAL
CUSTOMERS DURING THE HEATING SEASON.

(B) IN DEVELOPING THE REGULATIONS REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION
(A) OF THIS SECTION, THE COMMISSION SHALL CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING
AND, AS IT DEEMS APPROPRIATE, INCLUDE PROVISIONS RELATING THERETO
IN THE REGULATIONS:

(1) THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH SERVICE MAY AND MAY
NOT BE LIMITED OR TERMINATED;

(2) THE MINIMUM HEATING LEVELS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN
LIFE, HEALTH, AND SAFETY;

(3) THE MEDICAL, AGE, HANDICAPPING, AND OTHER
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS RELEVANT TO ANY PROHIBITION AGAINST OR
LIMITATION UPON TERMINATIONS OF SERVICE:

(4) THE AVAILABILITY OF AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR STATE
AND FEDERAL ENERGY ASSISTANCE;

(5) THE FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS RELEVANT TO
ANY PROHIBITION AGAINST OR LIMITATION UPON TERMINATIONS OF
SERVICE;

(6) THE AVAILABILITY AND APPROPRIATENESS OF EQUIPMENT
DESIGNED TO LIMIT THE FLOW OF ELECTRIC OR GAS SERVICE;

(7) THE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT
PLANS BEST DESIGNED, FOR APPROPRIATE CUSTOMERS WHOSE ACCOUNTS ARE
IN ARREARS, TO CONTINUE SERVICE BOTH FOR THE PRESENT AND FUTURE
AND TO PROVIDE AND ENCOURAGE FULL PAYMENT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME;

(8) THE METHODS THAT MIGHT BE EMPLOYED BY PUBLIC
SERVICE COMPANIES, IN ADVANCE OF AND DURING A HEATING SEASON, TO
ANTICIPATE NONPAYMENT PROBLEMS, TO ASSIST THE CUSTOMERS INVOLVED,
AND TO AVOID TERMINATIONS OF SERVICE DURING THE HEATING SEASON;

(9) THE PROCEDURES, INCLUDING THE CUSTOMER CONTACT,
UTILIZED BY PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANIES TO MITIGATE THE PROBLEM OF
TERMINATIONS;

(10) THE PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED, BEFORE ANY
TERMINATION OF SERVICE, TO AVOID ANY THREAT TO LIFE, HEALTH, OR
SAFETY;

(11) THE APPROPRIATE NOTICE TO A CUSTOMER BEFORE ANY
TERMINATION OF SERVICE;