FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - RadGraphx

When can a utility company refuse toprovide service to an applicant?A utility may refuse to commence service to an applicant forany of the following reasons:1. Failure to pay an undisputed delinquent utility bill forservices provided by that utility or by its regulatedaffiliate. To be considered to be disputed, the unpaidcharge must be the subject of an open informalcomplaint at the Missouri Public ServiceCommission (PSC).2. Failure to post a required deposit or guarantee that isbeing charged according to the utility’s tariffs;3. Refusal or failure to permit inspection, maintenance,replacement or meter reading of utility equipment;4. Misrepresentation of identity;5. Violation of any other rules of the utility approvedby the Missouri PSC which adversely affects the safetyof the customer or other persons or the integrity ofthe utility’s system;6. Failure of a previous owner or occupant of thepremises to pay a delinquent utility charge where theprevious owner or occupant remains an occupant;7. Failure to comply with the terms of a settlementagreement; or8. Unauthorized interference or diversion of use of theutility’s service by the applicant or by a previousowner or occupant who remains an occupant.When can a utility company NOT refuse toprovide service to an applicant?A utility may not refuse to commence service to an applicantfor any of the following reasons:1. Failure to pay for merchandise, appliances or servicesnot subject to Missouri PSC jurisdiction as an integralpart of the utility service provided by a utility;2. Failure to pay the bill of another customer, unlessthe applicant who is seeking service receivedsubstantial benefit and use of the service to thatcustomer, or unless the applicant is the legal guarantorfor a delinquent bill. In this instance, the utility hasthe burden of proof to show that the applicantreceived substantial benefit and use of the service orthat the applicant is the legal guarantor, providedthat such burden shall not apply if the applicantrefuses to cooperate in providing or obtaininginformation that he, she or it does or should haveregarding the applicant’s residence history.To meet the burden of proof, the utility must have reliableevidence thata. the applicant and that customer resided togetherat the premises where the bill was incurred andduring the period the bill was incurred; and1