S.C. Code Regs. § § 103-439

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

Section 103-439 - Customer Billing

The gas utility shall bill each customer as promptly as practicable following the reading of the meter and render a receipt of payment upon request.

1. New Service. Meters shall be read at the initiation and termination of any service and billing shall be based thereon.

2. Bill Forms. The bill shall show:

a. The reading of the meter at the beginning and at the end of the period for which the bill is rendered.

b. The date on which the meter was read, and the date of billing and the latest date on which it may be paid without incurring a penalty and the method of calculating such penalty.

c. The number and kind of units metered.

d. The applicable rate schedule, or identification of the applicable rate schedule. If the actual rates are not shown, the bill should carry a statement to the effect that the applicable rate schedule will be furnished on request.

e. Any estimated usage shall be clearly marked with the word "estimate" or "estimated bill".

f. Any conversions from meter reading units to billing units or any information necessary to determine billing units from recording or other devices, or any other factors, such as BTU adjustments, used in determining the bill. In lieu of such information on the bill, a statement must be on the bill advising that such information can be obtained by contacting the gas utility's local office.

g. Amount for gas usage.

h. Amount of South Carolina Sales Tax (dollars and cents).

i. Total amount due.

j. Number of days for which bill is rendered or beginning and ending dates for the billing period.

k. The telephone number and email address of the Office of Regulatory Staff.

3. Late Payment Charges. A charge of no more than one and one-half percent (1 1/2 %) may be added to any unpaid balance not paid within twenty-five days of the billing date to cover the cost of collection and carrying accounts in arrears. This method of late-payment charge will be made in lieu of any other penalty.

4. Payment. The gas utility, at its option for good cause, may refuse to accept a check, debit card, credit card or other electronic payment tendered as payment on a customer's account. "Good cause" must be justified by a gas utility by evidencing a credit history problem or by evidencing insufficient funds of the utility customer or applicant.

5. Charges for Discontinuance and Reconnection. Whenever service is turned off for violation of rules or regulations, non-payment of bills or fraudulent use of service, the gas utility may make a reasonable charge, to be approved by the commission, for the cost incurred in discontinuing the service and reconnection and require payment for service billed and for service used which has not previously been billed.

6. Estimated Bills. Each gas utility shall not send a customer an estimated bill except for good cause where the meter could not be read or was improperly registering. No more than one estimated bill shall be rendered within a sixty day period, unless otherwise agreed to by the customer.

S.C. Code Regs. § 103-439

Amended by State Register Volume 14, Issue No. 3, eff March 23, 1990; State Register Volume 32, Issue No. 5, eff May 23, 2008; State Register Volume 48, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/24/2024.