Wisconsin Legislature: PSC 134.051(4)(b)2.

(c) A utility shall accept any of the following items as adequate verification of identity, although it may accept other forms of verification:

1. Any one of the following items:

a. Valid driver’s license or other photo identification issued by a state, U.S., or tribal governmental entity.

b. Valid U.S. military or military dependent identification card.

c. Valid passport.

2. Any two of the following items:

a. Social security card.

b. Certified copy of a marriage certificate.

c. Certified copy of a judgment of divorce or legal separation.

d. Military discharge papers, including federal form DD-214.

e. Valid student identification card with the applicant’s photo.

f. Current employee photo identification card that includes information, such as the employer’s telephone number or address, which can be used for verification purposes.

g. Letter of identification from a social service agency or employer that includes information, such as the agency or employer’s telephone number or address, which can be used for verification purposes.

(d)

1. A utility shall accept any one of the following items as adequate verification of an applicant’s residency, although it may accept other forms of verification:

a. Current utility bill.

b. Current financial institution statement.

c. Rental agreement.

d. Documents indicating home purchase.

e. Current paycheck or pay stub showing the applicant’s name and address, and the employer’s name.

f. Verification of address provided by a social service or government agency.

2. A utility may require an applicant to provide information that may be used for verification purposes, such as a telephone number or address, if the applicant submits one of the items in subd. 1. b., c., e., or f. to the utility.

(e) If a request for verification of identity or residency is based on par. (a) 2., the utility may require that the applicant provide the information in s. 196.23 (1), Stats.

(f) If a utility requests information under this subsection, it shall inform the applicant of all items that are acceptable for verification of identity or residency, and allow the applicant to choose which items the applicant wishes to provide.

(g) If an applicant refuses to provide the information under pars. (c) or (d) or a utility finds, with reasonable certainty, that the verification is falsified, the utility may request an additional item, refuse service or disconnect service.

(4) Processing applications and providing notice.

(a) Except under exceptional circumstances, a utility shall approve or deny an application for service no later than 10 calendar days after receipt of the information required under this section. An unexpected high volume of requests for service shall not constitute exceptional circumstances.

(b) A utility shall notify the applicant in writing within 5 days of its denial. A utility may notify an applicant verbally before written notification is sent. An application shall be considered denied when a service refusal has been finalized and no immediate conditions that could change that refusal remain. The notification shall include all of the following:

1. An explanation of why service is being refused.

2. The applicant’s right to ask commission staff to review the refusal.

3. The commission’s address, telephone number and web site.

Note: For example, if a utility has told a customer that it would supply service if the customer makes a payment, enters a deferred payment agreement or provides additional identity or residency information under sub. (3), the refusal is still conditional and has not been finalized.

(c) If a third party applies for service, a utility shall send written notification of the application to the most recent previous address of the person responsible for payment and the address for which service has been requested.

(d) If an applicant indicates that a third party is responsible for payment, a utility shall send written notification of the approval or denial of an application to both the third party and the applicant within 5 days of the application’s approval or denial, although a utility may notify the third party and applicant before written confirmation is sent. If service is refused, the written notification shall include the information in par. (b) 1. to 3.

History: CR 13-048: cr. Register July 2014 No. 703, eff. 8-1-14.

PSC 134.053 Application for commercial and farm service.

(1) For purposes of this section, “written” or “in writing” means legibly printed on paper or, with the intended recipient’s permission, legibly printed in an electronic form that the recipient can electronically store and retrieve for future reference.

(2)

(a) A user of gas service shall apply for service in a form specified by the utility.

(b) A utility may require a verbal or written application for commercial or farm service. The utility shall establish a written policy for when a written application is required. A utility may accept an application for service from a person other than the user or potential user of service

1. Legal name of the user of service and the person responsible for bill payment, if different than the user.

2. Telephone number of the user of service and the person responsible for bill payment, if different than the user.

3. Address where service is to be provided.

4. Mailing address if different from service address.

5. Date requested for service to begin.

6. The most recent previous address of the person responsible for bill payment.

7. Credit information under par. (e).

8. Initial identification data under par. (f).

(d) A utility may request information other than that listed in par. (c), but before requesting it the utility shall inform the applicant that providing that information is optional.

(e) A utility may request reasonable credit information from a commercial or farm applicant as part of its application for service. A utility shall establish a written policy about when it will request credit information and what credit information it will request.

(f) A utility shall accept any of the following items as adequate initial identification data, although it may accept other forms of identification:

1. Federal employer identification number or proof that it has been applied for but not yet granted.

2. Wisconsin department of financial institutions identification number.

3. Wisconsin seller’s permit identification number.

(g) A utility may refuse or disconnect service for failure to provide any information specified in pars. (c) 1. to 7. or (f).

Note: See sub. (3) (a) about what can be required if an applicant refuses to provide the initial identification data under par. (c) 8.

(3) Identity verification.

(a) A utility may require verification of the initial identification data of an applicant for commercial or farm service under any of the following circumstances:

1. An applicant refuses to provide the information under sub. (2) (c), (e), or (f).

2. The utility finds, with reasonable certainty, that the information provided under sub. (2) (c), (e), or (f) is falsified.

(b) A utility shall establish a written policy for when it will require verification of identity under this subsection.

(c) A utility shall accept any of the following items as adequate verification of identity, although it may accept other forms of verification:

1. State or federal income tax returns.

2. Internal Revenue Service letter assigning federal employer identification number.

3. Wisconsin seller’s permit or department of revenue letter assigning a Wisconsin seller’s permit identification number.

4. Business articles of incorporation, partnership agreement, limited liability company articles of organization, or similar organizational documents.

(d) A utility may refuse or disconnect service if it does not obtain adequate verification of identity.

(4) Processing applications and providing notice.

(a) Except under exceptional circumstances, a utility shall approve or deny an application for service no later than 10 calendar days after receipt of the information required under this section. An expected high volume of requests for service shall not constitute exceptional circumstances.

(b) A utility shall notify the applicant in writing within 5 days of the denial of application. A utility may notify an applicant verbally before written notification is sent. An application shall be considered denied when a service refusal has been finalized and no immediate conditions that could change that refusal remain. The notification shall include all of the following:

1. An explanation of why service is being refused.

2. The applicant’s right to ask commission staff to review the refusal.

3. The commission’s address, telephone number and web site.

Note: For example, if a utility has told a customer that it would supply service if the customer makes a payment, enters a deferred payment agreement or provides additional identity information under sub. (3), the refusal is still conditional and has not been finalized.

(c) If a third party applies for service, a utility shall send written notification of the application to the potential user’s mailing address and the address for which service has been requested.

History: CR 13-048: cr. Register July 2014 No. 703, eff. 8-1-14; s. 35.17 correction in (4) (a) Register July 2014 No. 703.

PSC 134.061 Deposits, residential.

(1) New residential service.

(a) A utility shall not require a cash deposit or other guarantee as a condition of new residential service unless a customer has an outstanding account balance with any Wisconsin gas utility which accrued within the last 6 years and for which there is no agreement or arrangement for payment being honored by the customer, and which at the time of the request for new service remains outstanding and not in dispute, as defined in s. PSC 134.064.

(b) A deposit under this section shall not be required if the customer provides the utility with information showing that his or her gross quarterly income is at or below 200% of federal income poverty guidelines.

(c) A utility shall inform the customer of his or her right to enter into a deferred payment agreement for payment of the deposit amount and of his or her right to appeal any deposit request or amount required under this section to the public service commission.

(2) Deferred payment. In lieu of cash deposit or guarantee, an applicant for new residential service who has an outstanding account balance accrued within the last 6 years with the same utility shall have the right to receive service from that utility under a deferred payment agreement, as defined in s. PSC 134.063, for the outstanding account. A customer who defaults on the deferred payment agreement may be required by the utility to furnish a deposit.

(3) Guarantee terms and conditions.

(a) A utility may accept, in lieu of a cash deposit for new or existing residential service, a contract signed by a guarantor satisfactory to the utility whereby payment of a specified sum not exceeding the cash deposit requirement is guaranteed, or whereby the guarantor accepts responsibility for payment of all future bills. If the guarantor accepts responsibility for payment of future bills, the utility shall notify the customer in writing of the agreement, and of the customer’s right to refuse such an agreement. The term of the contract shall be for no longer than one year, but it shall automatically terminate after the residential customer has closed his or her account with the utility, or on the guarantor’s request upon 30 days’ written notice to the utility.

(b) Upon termination of a guarantee contract, or whenever the utility deems the guarantee insufficient as to amount of surety, a cash deposit or a new or additional guarantee may be required upon 20-day written notice to the customer. The service of any customer who fails to comply with these requirements may be disconnected upon 8 days’ written notice.

(c) The utility shall mail the guarantor copies of all disconnect notices sent to the customer whose account has been guaranteed, unless the guarantor waives such notice in writing.

(4) Existing residential service.