4901:1-18-07. Reconnection of service

(A) Upon payment or proof of payment of the delinquent amount as stated on the disconnection notice, or of an amount sufficient to cure the default on an extended payment plan or the percentage of income payment plan plus (PIPP plus), applicable reconnection charge, the utility company shall reconnect service that has been disconnected for nonpayment pursuant to the following provisions:

(1) For customers disconnected from service for ten business days or less, the utility company may assess a reconnection charge and shall reconnect service by the close of the following regular utility company working day. Pursuant to rule 4901:1-18-05 of the Administrative Code, the amount sufficient to cure the default for customers on extended payment plans shall include all amounts that would have been due and owing under the terms of the applicable extended payment plan, absent default, on the date that service is reconnected. Under paragraph (D)(2)(b) of rule 4901:1-18-12 of the Administrative Code, the amount sufficient to cure the default for PIPP customers includes all amounts that would have been due for any missed PIPP plus payments, but not more than the arrearage balance.

(2) For customers disconnected from service for more than ten business days, the utility company may treat the customers as new customers and connect service consistent with the timeframes in rules 4901:1-10-09, 4901:1-13-05 and paragraph (C) of rule 4901:1-17-04 of the Administrative Code. In addition, the utility company may assess the customer a reconnection charge in accordance with approved tariffs. Pursuant to paragraph (D)(2)(b) of rule 4901:1-18-12 of the Administrative Code, PIPP plus customers shall be required to pay any missed PIPP plus payments but not more than the arrearage balance. PIPP plus customers shall not be required to pay a deposit pursuant to rule 4901:1-18-15 of the Administrative Code.

(B) If service is disconnected for nonpayment for no more than ten business days, to guarantee the reconnection of service the same day on which payment is rendered:

(1) The customer must provide proof of payment, as required in paragraph (A)(1) of this rule to the utility company no later than twelve-thirty p.m.

(2) If the customer requests that reconnection occur after normal business hours, and such service is offered by the utility company, the utility company may require the customer to pay or agree to pay the utility company's approved tariff charges for after-hours reconnection. The utility company may collect this fee prior to reconnection or with the customer's next monthly billing.

(C) The utility company shall not assess a reconnection charge unless the utility company has actually disconnected the service. The utility company may, however, assess a collection charge if the collection charge is part of the utility company's approved tariff. A collection charge shall not be assessed more than once per billing cycle.

(D) If the utility company accepts a guarantor in order to reestablish service, it shall follow all of the requirements of paragraph (A)(5) of rule 4901:1-17-03 of the Administrative Code.

(E) This provision addresses cases of tampering and unauthorized reconnection of services.

(1) When a utility company has disconnected a meter in connection with alleged tampering, or unauthorized reconnection of a gas, or electric meter, conduit, or attachment of a utility, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the person in possession or control of the meter, conduit, or attachment at the time the tampering or reconnection occurred is the party obligated to pay for the service rendered through the meter, conduit, or attachment.

(2) If the responsible party does not contest the disconnection under the circumstances stated in this paragraph or paragraph (E)(3) of rule 4901:1-18-03 of the Administrative Code the company need not restore service until the party has completed each of the following:

(a) Given satisfactory assurance that the fraudulent or tampering act has been discontinued.

(b) Paid to the utility company an amount estimated by the company to be reasonable compensation for unauthorized usage obtained and not paid for at the time of disconnection.

(c) Paid for any damage to property of the utility company including any cost to repair the damage.

(d) Paid all other fees and charges authorized by tariff resulting from the fraudulent act or tampering.

(3) The provisions of paragraph (E)(2) of this rule do not apply in situations where the responsible party, as determined by paragraph (E)(1) of this rule, is either a tenant or consumer who no longer resides at the premises or a property owner who has taken possession of the property after the tampering or unauthorized reconnection occurred.

(4) In the event the responsible party was a tenant who no longer resides at the premises where the tampering took place, the utility company may deny service to that party in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (E)(2) of this rule.

Replaces: Part of 4901:1-18-03

Effective: 4/15/2015
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 11/24/2014 and 11/24/2019
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 4905.04
Rule Amplifies: 4905.06, 4905.22, 4905.30, 4933.12, 4933.121, 4933.122
Prior Effective Dates: 3/22/80, 7/27/80, 6/13/81, 10/6/82, 12/1/83, 7/1/99, 9/1/04, 4/6/06, 11/1/2010