OAR 860-034-0250: Refusal of Utility Service

(1) Refusal of utility service by a small telecommunications utility: (a) A small telecommunications utility may refuse to provide service to a customer or applicant until the utility receives full payment of any overdue amount of an Oregon tariffed or price-listed charge and any other like obligation related to a prior account except for residential utility service applicants who are eligible for OTAP. (b) A small telecommunications utility may refuse to provide utility service to a residential customer or applicant who is eligible for OTAP until the utility receives full payment of any overdue amount relating to a prior account for tariffed local exchange and price-listed utility services, excluding any toll charges. (2) A small telecommunications utility may refuse to provide utility service until the utility receives payment when all the following circumstances exist: (a) An overdue balance has been incurred by a residential customer or applicant at a service address; (b) A residential applicant for utility service resided at the service address described in subsection (2)(a) of this rule during the time the overdue balance was incurred; and (c) The residential customer or applicant described in subsection (2)(a) of this rule will reside at the location to be served under the new application. (3) Any small telecommunications utility shall refuse to provide utility service if a customer or applicant has not complied with state and city codes and regulations governing service and with the small telecommunications utility’s rules and regulations. (4) A small telecommunications utility shall not provide utility service or materially change service to a customer if, in the utility’s best judgment, the desired service is likely to unfavorably affect service to other customers. (5) A small telecommunications utility shall refuse to serve a customer or applicant if, in the best judgment of the utility, the facilities of the customer or applicant cannot provide safe and satisfactory utility service. (6) When the small telecommunications utility refuses to provide utility service, the small telecommunications utility shall notify the customer or applicant of the reasons for refusal and of the Commission’s complaint process.