OAR 860-021-0335
Refusal of Utility Service


(1)

Except as provided in section (2) of this rule, an energy 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 an Oregon prior account.

(2)

Except for a residential customer or applicant who was disconnected for theft of service, an energy utility shall provide service to a residential customer or applicant upon receiving payment equal to at least one-half of any overdue amount of an Oregon tariffed or price-listed charge and any other like obligation related to a prior account, except deposits which must be paid in full, provided the customer or applicant has made reasonable partial payment on the account during the time service has been discontinued. The customer shall pay the balance of the amount owed to the energy utility within 30 days of the date service is initiated. Upon failure to pay, the energy utility may disconnect service after providing a five-day notice to the customer. The notice shall contain the information set forth in OAR 860-021-0405 (Notice of Pending Disconnection of Residential Electric or Gas Utility Service)(2)(a), (b), (c), (d)(A) and (D) and shall be served as required by 860-021-0405 (Notice of Pending Disconnection of Residential Electric or Gas Utility Service)(5). If a customer or applicant whose service was terminated applies for service within 20 days of the termination, the provisions of this rule apply.

(3)

If electric or gas service is disconnected for a residential customer’s failure to comply with the payment terms in section (2) of this rule, the utility may refuse to restore service until the utility receives full payment of any overdue obligation of an Oregon tariffed or price-listed charge and any other like obligation related to a prior account, including any reconnection fee, late payment fee, and past due bill.

(4)

Refusal of service by a large telecommunications utility:

(a)

A large 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 telecommunications service applicants who are eligible for OTAP.

(b)

A large telecommunications utility may refuse to provide 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 services, excluding any toll charges.

(5)

An energy or large telecommunications utility may refuse to provide 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 service resided at the service address described in subsection (5)(a) of this rule during the time the overdue balance was incurred; and

(c)

The residential customer or applicant described in subsection (5)(a) of this rule will reside at the location to be served under the new application.

(6)

Any energy or large telecommunications utility shall refuse to provide service if a customer or applicant has not complied with state and city codes and regulations governing service and with the utility’s rules and regulations.

(7)

An energy or large telecommunications utility shall reject an application for service or materially change service to a customer or applicant if, in the best judgment of the utility, the utility lacks adequate facilities to render the service applied for or if the desired service is likely to unfavorably affect service to other customers.

(8)

An energy or large 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 service.

(9)

When an energy or large telecommunications utility refuses to provide service, the utility shall notify the customer or applicant of the reasons for refusal and of the Commission’s complaint process.

Source: Rule 860-021-0335 — Refusal of Utility Service, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=860-021-0335.

860‑021‑0000
Applicability of Division 21
860‑021‑0005
Scope of the Rules
860‑021‑0008
Definitions for Regulation of Utility Services
860‑021‑0009
Applications for Utility Service from an Energy or Large Telecommunications Utility
860‑021‑0010
Information for Utility Customers and Applicants
860‑021‑0011
Multilingual Notices
860‑021‑0015
Dispute Resolution
860‑021‑0017
Designation of Third Party to Receive Notices
860‑021‑0019
Restrictions on Entering a Customer Residence
860‑021‑0021
Interruption of Utility Service
860‑021‑0033
Annual Fees Payable to the Commission by an Electric Utility
860‑021‑0034
Annual Fees Payable to the Commission by Gas Utility or Steam Heat Utility
860‑021‑0036
Annual Fees Payable to the Commission by a Large Telecommunications Utility
860‑021‑0037
Estimated Annual Fees Payable to the Commission
860‑021‑0045
Installation of Electric Service
860‑021‑0050
Installation of Gas Service
860‑021‑0051
Main Extensions for Gas Service
860‑021‑0055
Temporary Utility Service
860‑021‑0057
Connection of Residential Energy Utility Service
860‑021‑0120
Meter Readings and Bill Forms
860‑021‑0125
Due and Payable Period
860‑021‑0126
Late-Payment Charge
860‑021‑0130
Meter Test
860‑021‑0135
Adjustment of Utility Bills
860‑021‑0170
Billing Error Reporting
860‑021‑0200
Establishing Credit for Residential Utility Service
860‑021‑0205
Deposit Payment Arrangements for Residential Energy Utility Service
860‑021‑0206
Payment Arrangements for Deposit and Installation Charges for Residential Telecommunications Utility Service
860‑021‑0210
Interest on Deposits for Residential and Nonresidential Utility Service
860‑021‑0215
Refund of Deposits for Residential and Nonresidential Utility Service
860‑021‑0305
Grounds for Disconnecting Utility Service
860‑021‑0310
Voluntary Disconnection of Utility Service
860‑021‑0315
Emergency Disconnection of Utility Service
860‑021‑0320
Disconnection of Service on Weekends and Holidays
860‑021‑0325
Accounts Not Related to Residential Utility Service
860‑021‑0326
Disconnection of Gas or Electric Service to Tenants
860‑021‑0328
Reconnection of Residential Energy Utility Service
860‑021‑0330
Reconnection Fee for Utility Service
860‑021‑0334
Transfer Billings
860‑021‑0335
Refusal of Utility Service
860‑021‑0405
Notice of Pending Disconnection of Residential Electric or Gas Utility Service
860‑021‑0407
Severe Weather Moratorium on Involuntary Disconnection of Residential Electric or Gas Utility Service
860‑021‑0408
Disconnect Reporting Rule
860‑021‑0410
Emergency Medical Certificate for Residential Electric and Gas Service
860‑021‑0414
Equal-Payment Plans for Residential Electric and Gas Service
860‑021‑0415
Time-Payment Agreements for Residential Electric and Gas Service (Nonmedical Certificate Customers)
860‑021‑0420
Field Visit Charge
860‑021‑0505
Disconnection Procedures for All Commercial Electric and Gas Utility Customers and All Customers of Large Telecommunications Utilities
860‑021‑0510
Emergency Medical Certificate for Residential Telecommunications Utility Service
860‑021‑0550
Termination of Local Exchange Residential Service for Telecommunications Customers at Significant Risk
860‑021‑0575
Time Payment Agreements for Large Telecommunications Utilities
860‑021‑0610
Telephone Solicitation Notices by Large Telecommunications Utilities
860‑021‑0620
Customer Notification and Information Delivery Services for Large Telecommunications Utilities
Last Updated

Jun. 8, 2021

Rule 860-021-0335’s source at or​.us