16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.22 - Request for Service
Every electric utility shall initiate service to each qualified applicant for service within its certificated area in accordance with this section.
(1) Applications for new
electric service not involving line extensions or construction of new
facilities shall be filled within seven working days after the applicant has
met the credit requirements as provided for in §
25.24 of this title (relating to
Credit Requirements and Deposits) and complied with all applicable state and
municipal regulations.
(2) An
electric utility may require a residential applicant for service to
satisfactorily establish credit in accordance with §
25.24 of this title (relating to
Credit Requirements and Deposits), but such establishment of credit shall not
relieve the customer from complying with rules for prompt payment of
bills.
(3) Requests for new
residential service requiring construction, such as line extensions, shall be
completed within 90 days or within a time period agreed to by the customer and
electric utility if the applicant has met the credit requirements as provided
for in §
25.24 of this title; and made
satisfactory payment arrangements for construction charges; and has complied
with all applicable state and municipal regulations. For this section, facility
placement which requires a permit for a road or railroad crossing will be
considered a line extension.
(4) If
facilities must be constructed, then the electric utility shall contact the
customer within ten working days of receipt of the application, and give the
customer an estimated completion date and an estimated cost for all charges to
be incurred by the customer.
(5)
The electric utility shall explain any construction cost options such as
rebates to the customer, sharing of construction costs between the electric
utility and the customer, or sharing of costs between the customer and other
applicants following the assessment of necessary line work.
(6) Unless the delay is beyond the reasonable
control of the electric utility, a delay of more than 90 days shall constitute
failure to serve, unless the customer and electric utility have agreed to a
longer term. The commission may revoke or amend an electric utility's
certificate of convenience and necessity (or other certificate) for such
failures to serve, or grant the certificate to another electric utility to
serve the applicant, and the electric utility may be subject to administrative
penalties pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Act §15.023 and
§15.024.
(7) If an electric
utility must provide a line extension to or on the customer's premises and the
utility will require that customer to pay a Contribution in Aid to Construction
(CIAC), a prepayment, or sign a contract with a term of one year or longer, the
electric utility shall provide the customer with information about on-site
renewable energy and distributed generation technology alternatives. The
information shall comply with guidelines established by the commission, and
shall be provided to the customer at the time the estimate of the CIAC or
prepayment is given to the customer. If no CIAC or prepayment is required, the
information shall be given to the customer before a contract is signed. The
information is intended to educate the customer on alternate options that are
available.
(8) As part of their
initial contact, electric utility employees shall give the applicant a copy of
the "Your Rights as a Customer" brochure, and inform an applicant of the right
to file a complaint with the commission pursuant to §
25.30 of this title (relating to
complaints) if the applicant thinks the applicant has been treated
unfairly.
Notes
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