4 N.C. Admin. Code 11R12-01
The Utilities Commission, hereinafter referred to as the "Commission," declares that it is in the public interest that any utility requiring a deposit from its customer shall fairly and indiscriminately administer a reasonable policy reflected by written regulations, in accord with these rules, for the requirement of a deposit for connecting utility service, or for an existing customer to continue or to reconnect service. A cash deposit to establish, maintain or reestablish service shall be required only in compliance with these rules, and to avoid, to the extent practicable, the creation of a burden arising from uncollectible bills which would have to be borne ultimately by all the utility's ratepayers. Any utility requiring a deposit shall apply a deposit policy in accord with these rules in an equitable and nondiscriminatory manner to all applicants for service and to all customers throughout the service area without any different application in any part thereof, and such deposit policy shall be predicated upon the credit risk of the individual without regard to the area in which he lives.
04 N.C. Admin. Code 11 R12-01