Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-27.7

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 5, September 4, 2024

Rule 199-27.7 - [Effective 9/11/2024] Customer contribution fund

(1)Applicability and purpose. This rule applies to each electric cooperative and municipal electric utility, as defined in Iowa Code sections 476.1A and 476.1B. Pursuant to Iowa Code section 476.66, each electric cooperative or municipal electric utility is to maintain a program plan to assist the electric cooperative's or municipal electric utility's low-income customers with weatherization and to supplement assistance received under the federal low-income home energy assistance program for the payment of winter heating bills.

(2)Notification. Notice of the customer contribution fund is to be given to all customers at least twice a year. Upon commencement of service and at least once a year, the notice is to be mailed or personally delivered to all customers, or provided by electronic means to those customers who have consented to receiving electronic notices. The other notice may be published in a local newspaper(s) of general circulation within the service territory of the electric cooperative or municipal electric utility. A utility serving fewer than 6,000 customers may publish its semiannual notices locally in a free newspaper, utility newsletter or shopper's guide instead of a newspaper. At a minimum, the notice is to include:

a. A description of the availability and the purpose of the fund.

b. A customer authorization form that includes a monthly billing option and methods of contribution.

(3)Methods of contribution. Contribution methods may include monthly pledges, as well as onetime or periodic contributions. A pledge by a customer or other party is not a binding contract between the electric cooperative or municipal electric utility and the pledger. Delayed contributions are not subject to late payment charges. Each electric cooperative or municipal electric utility may allow persons or organizations to contribute matching funds.

(4)Annual report. On or before September 30 of each year, each electric cooperative or municipal electric utility is to file with the commission a report of all the customer contribution fund activity for the previous fiscal year from July 1 through June 30, on a form provided by the commission that contains an accounting of the total revenues collected and all distributions of the fund.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-27.7

Adopted by IAB August 25, 2021/Volume XLIV, Number 4, effective 9/29/2021

Amended by IAB August 7, 2024/Volume XLVII, Number 4, effective 9/11/2024