N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 16 § 143.2

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024

Section 143.2 - Notice of discontinuance-format

(a) Every notice indicating discontinuance of service shall:

(1) clearly indicate in nontechnical language and, where practicable, in a bilingual format:

(i) the reason for service discontinuance;

(ii) the total amount required to be paid by the customer to avoid discontinuance of service, indicating the amount for which the customer's account is in arrears or the required deposit, if any, which must be posted by the customer, or both;

(iii) a method whereby the customer may tender payment of the full sum due and owing, including any required deposit, to avoid the discontinuance of his service;

(iv) the availability of company procedures to consider customer complaints prior to discontinuance, including the address and phone number of the office of the electric company the customer may contact in reference to his account; and

(v) the earliest date on which discontinuance may be attempted; and

(2) have printed on the face thereof, in a size type capable of attracting immediate attention, the following:

"THIS IS A FINAL DISCONNECT NOTICE. TO AVOID INCONVENIENCE, BRING THIS NOTICE TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COMPANY WHEN PAYING THIS BILL."

(b) Every notice indicating discontinuance of service to residential customers shall include a statement that electric service to any person receiving financial assistance from a local social services department in certain cases may not be terminated, and that the recipient may inform the utility providing such service of his status so that the utility may ascertain the applicability of such provisions to him.

(c) Advise consumers that they should contact such corporation's business office immediately if any acute hardship, such as death in the family, recent unemployment, serious illness or infirmity, or other grave condition exists, in order that such corporation may determine whether any temporary arrangement should be employed to avoid immediate termination.

(d) Where full compliance with subdivision (a) of this section is found by the commission to be infeasible or to impose an unreasonable burden upon the company, the commission may grant a waiver of the requirements of such subdivision upon approval by the commission of an alternate arrangement which accomplishes the basic purposes of this section.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 16 § 143.2