Section 986 Of Chapter 4.7. Core Transport Agent From California Public Utilities Code >> Division 1. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 4.7.
986
. (a) Except for a gas corporation, or a local publicly owned
gas utility offering gas service to core gas customers within its
service territory, a core transport agent offering gas service to
core gas customers shall, prior to the commencement of service,
provide the potential customer with a written notice of the service
describing the price, terms, and conditions of the service. The
notices shall include all of the following:
(1) A clear description of the price, terms, and conditions of
service, including all of the following:
(A) The price of gas expressed in a format that makes it possible
for core gas customers to compare and select among similar products
and services on a standard basis. The commission shall adopt rules to
implement this subdivision. The commission shall require disclosure
of the total price of gas on a cents-per-therm basis, including the
costs of all gas services and charges regulated by the commission.
The commission shall also require estimates of the total monthly bill
for the gas service at varying consumption levels, including the
costs of all gas services and charges regulated by the commission. In
determining these rules, the commission may consider alternatives to
the cents-per-therm disclosure if other information would provide
the customer with sufficient information to compare among
alternatives on a standard basis.
(B) Separate disclosure of all recurring and nonrecurring charges
associated with the sale of gas.
(C) If services other than gas are offered, an itemization of the
services and the charge or charges associated with each.
(2) A description of the potential customer's right to rescind the
contract without fee or penalty as described in Section 989.1.
(3) An explanation of the customer's financial obligations, as
well as the procedures regarding past due payments, discontinuance of
service, billing disputes, and service complaints.
(4) The core transport agent's registration number, if applicable.
(5) The right to change service providers upon written notice,
including disclosure of any fees or penalties assessed by the
supplier for early termination of a contract.
(6) A description of the availability of low-income assistance
programs for qualified customers and how customers can apply for
these programs.
(b) The commission may assist core transport agents in developing
the notice. The commission may suggest inclusion of additional
information it deems necessary for the consumer protection purposes
of this section. On at least a semiannual basis, a core transport
agent shall provide the commission with a copy of the form of notice
included in its standard service plans made available to core gas
customers as described in subdivision (a) of Section 984.5.
(c) Any core transport agent offering gas services who declines to
provide those services to a consumer shall, upon request of the
consumer, disclose to that consumer the reason for the denial in
writing within 30 days. At the time service is denied, the core
transport agent shall disclose to the consumer his or her right to
make this request. Consumers shall have at least 30 days from the
date service is denied to make the request.