SECTION 165:45-11-2. Right to refuse service

(a)   The utility may refuse to provide service to an applicant or consumer from whom there remains owing an unpaid account for service of a similar character previously supplied to such applicant or consumer at any location within that utility's service territory by a gas utility governed by this Chapter, or a judgement arising from an unpaid account remains unpaid in the applicant's name.

(b)   The utility shall not deny service to a consumer for failure to pay any obligation to the utility except the amount due for utility service. Utilities shall not deny service to a consumer for nonpayment of an amount past due for more than three (3) years if the utility cannot substantiate the charges with a copy of the consumer's complete billing history reflecting usage, consumption and relevant charges.

(c)   The utility may refuse to provide service to an applicant for misrepresentation of identity or facts for the purpose of obtaining service or use of an alias, trade name, business name, relative's name or another person's name as a device to escape payment of an unpaid obligation for utility service provided to the consumer.

(d)   The utility shall provide documentation to the consumer indicating the reason(s) that service is being withheld, upon request of the consumer.

(e)   The utility may refuse to provide service to an applicant when the applicant is not in compliance with a Commission order, a deferred payment agreement, or an extension agreement with the utility entered into with respect to service previously rendered by the utility to the applicant.

(f)   The utility may refuse to provide service to an applicant when the applicant has not paid the utility an approved fee, charge, or deposit as provided for in this Subchapter or the utility's approved tariffs.

(g)   The utility may refuse to provide service to an applicant when the applicant has not furnished adequate assurance of payment in the form of a deposit or other security for service within twenty (20) calendar days of an order for relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code, U.S.C.A. Title 11 Section 366.

(h)   The utility may refuse to provide service to an applicant when there is evidence that the applicant is using service in an unauthorized manner or is tampering with the equipment furnished and owned by the utility.

(i)   The utility may refuse to provide service to an applicant when the applicant has not provided an acceptable valid and non-expired proof of identity. Acceptable valid and non-expired proof of identity may include the following:

(1)   Driver's license or state identification card.

(2)   Department of Defense identification.

(3)   Employment identification.

(4)   Social security card.

(5)   Student identification card.

(6)   Passport.

(7)   Birth certificate.

(8)   Any other verifiable proof which would establish identity.

(j)   The utility may refuse to provide service when:

(1)   The applicant is not in compliance with all state and/or municipal regulations governing the service for which applied.

(2)   The applicant is not in compliance with the utility's tariffs which have been approved by this Commission.

(3)   The service applied for is of such character that it is likely to unfavorably affect the service of other consumer.

(4)   The connection of utility service to the applicant's equipment would create a hazard.

(5)   The applicant is causing or threatening injury to a utility employee or an employee's family to retaliate for or prevent an act the utility performs in the course of business.

(6)   The applicant is causing or threatening damage to utility's property.

[Source: Amended at 12 Ok Reg 2129, eff 7-1-95; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 668, eff 7-25-19]