Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 56.1 - Statement of purpose and policy(a) This chapter establishes and enforces uniform, fair and equitable residential public utility service standards governing eligibility criteria, credit and deposit practices, and account billing, termination and customer complaint procedures. This chapter assures adequate provision of residential public utility service, to restrict unreasonable termination of or refusal to provide that service and to provide functional alternatives to termination or refusal to provide that service while eliminating opportunities for customers capable of paying to avoid the timely payment of public utility bills and protecting against rate increases for timely paying customers resulting from other customers' delinquencies. Public utilities shall utilize the procedures in this chapter to effectively manage customer accounts to prevent the accumulation of large, unmanageable arrearages. Every privilege conferred or duty required under this chapter imposes an obligation of good faith, honesty and fair dealing in its performance and enforcement. This chapter will be liberally construed to fulfill its purpose and policy and to insure justice for all concerned.(b) This subchapter and Subchapters B-K apply to electric distribution utilities, natural gas distribution utilities, wastewater utilities, steam heat utilities, small natural gas utilities and water distribution utilities. Subchapters L-V apply to all customers who have been granted protection from abuse orders as provided by 23 Pa.C.S. Chapter 61 (relating to Protection from Abuse Act) or a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction in this Commonwealth which provides clear evidence of domestic violence against the applicant or customer.The provisions of this §56.1 adopted June 16, 1978, effective 6/17/1978, 8 Pa.B. 1655; amended October 7, 2011, effective 10/8/2011, 41 Pa.B. 5473; amended May 31, 2019, effective 6/1/2019, 49 Pa.B. 2815.The provisions of this §56.1 amended under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 501, 1301, 1401-1419, 1501 and 1509.