2006 Utah Code - 9-12-201 — Moratorium on involuntary termination for nonpayment of utility bills -- Eligibility criteria -- Department to establish and certify.

     9-12-201.   Moratorium on involuntary termination for nonpayment of utility bills -- Eligibility criteria -- Department to establish and certify.
     (1) The department shall establish a program for a seasonal moratorium for involuntary termination for nonpayment by residential customers of essential utility bills. An essential utility is a utility regulated by the Public Service Commission under Title 54, which is in the business of the retail distribution of electricity or natural gas. A residential customer is a customer defined as in a residential class by the Public Service Commission.
     (2) A residential customer must meet the following criteria to qualify for the program:
     (a) gross household income is less than 125% of the federal poverty level or the household has suffered a medical or other emergency, loss of employment, or is experiencing other circumstances which have resulted in a substantial loss of income;
     (b) the customer has made application to public and private energy assistance programs;
     (c) the customer is willing to make a good faith effort to pay these utility bills on a consistent basis; and
     (d) any additional information required by the department.
     (3) A residential customer may file with a local department office an affidavit attesting eligibility under the criteria in Subsection (2). The department shall certify that the customer has met the eligibility requirements and forward a copy of the affidavit to the effected utility.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 336, 1998 General Session