OAR 860-021-0009: Applications for Utility Service from an Energy or Large Telecommunications Utility

(1) An application for energy or telecommunications utility service must be made when: (a) Service is requested by a person who has not previously been served by the energy or large telecommunications utility; (b) Service has been involuntarily discontinued in accordance with these rules, and the person later seeks to have service restored; or (c) Service has been voluntarily discontinued, and a request to restore service has not been made within 20 days. (2) An application is a request for energy or telecommunications utility service. The energy or large telecommunications utility shall not accept an application for service until the applicant establishes credit as set forth in OAR 860-021-0200 and 860-021-0205. However, the energy or large telecommunications utility may refuse a service application under OAR 860-021-0335. (3) An energy or large telecommunications utility may require an applicant to provide the following information when applying for service: (a) The name of person(s) responsible for payment on the account; (b) The name to be used to identify the account, if different than the actual name; (c) The birth date of person(s) responsible for payment on the account; (d) The social security number of person(s) responsible for payment on the account; (e) A current valid Oregon driver license number of the person(s) responsible for payment on the account; (f) The service address; (g) The billing address, if different than service address; and (h) Any available telephone numbers where the applicant can be reached night and day. (4) In lieu of providing a valid social security number or current valid Oregon driver license number under section (3) of this rule, an applicant may provide: (a) A state or federal government issued form of identification containing name and photograph of the person(s) responsible for payment on the account, regardless of expiration date; (b) A passport, regardless of expiration date; (c) A consular identification card, regardless of expiration date; or (d) A combination of: (A) An original or certified true copy of his or her birth certificate; (B) A current identification from school or employer containing a photograph; and (C) The name, address, and telephone number of a person who can verify the applicant's identity, such as a teacher, employer, or caseworker; or, (e) Other information deemed sufficient by the utility to establish an applicant’s identification. (5) If an applicant is denied service for failure to provide an acceptable form of identification, the applicant may pursue conflict resolution under the Commission’s rules. (6) Upon request, the energy or large telecommunications utility shall protect the account from access by others through the use of a personalized password or other means acceptable to both the energy or large telecommunications utility and the customer. (7) A large telecommunications utility shall protect the identity of a customer at risk of domestic violence or other abuse. At its option, the large telecommunications utility shall provide the identity protection by allowing the customer to use a modified or alternative name for a directory listing or by providing, at no cost, a non-published listing in accordance with other applicable tariff provisions for the length of time the endangerment exists. A customer requesting a nonpublished listing under this section must provide: (a) A copy of a court order that restrains another person from contact with the customer by reason of risk of domestic violence, as defined in ORS 135.230, or unwanted sexual contact, as defined in ORS 163.305, abuse, as defined by the Elderly and Disabled Person Abuse Prevention Act, ORS 124.005 et seq., or stalking, as defined by ORS 163.730 et seq.; and (b) An affidavit, stating that the customer is financially unable to pay for the nonpublished listing.