Section 113.0409. 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 electric 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.

(c) The utility may only require that an applicant provide the following information in an application:

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) .

(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.

(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.

(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.

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

Note

See sub. (3) (a) about what can be required if an applicant refuses to provide the initial identification data under par. (c) 8. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 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. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1