§ 363-B:1 — Termination of Service

New Hampshire § 363-B:1

• Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
• Title XXXIV: PUBLIC UTILITIES
• Ch. 363-B: PROCEDURES FOR TERMINATION OF CERTAIN UTILITY SERVICES

Text

I. No public gas or electric utility, as defined in RSA 362:2, shall terminate any residential service without good cause and without providing the customer at least 10 days' written notice of the utility company's intent to terminate service. The notification shall be sent by regular mail or shall be delivered by hand, and shall inform the customer of the proposed date of termination, the reason for termination, and the provision in RSA 363-B:2 for questioning or contesting the reason for termination.
II. For purposes of this section, good cause shall mean violation of any tariff provision then in force as approved by the public utilities commission, or nonpayment of charges that are past due and remain unpaid after proper demand for them.
III. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a gas or electric public utility may terminate service to a residential customer without prior notice to the customer or the department when:
(a) There exists unauthorized or fraudulent use or procurement of utility service;
(b) A condition dangerous to the health, safety, or utility service of others exists;
(c) There is a clear and present danger to life, health, or physical property; or
(d) The customer has clearly abandoned the premises.
The utility shall notify the department after it has terminated service for any of these reasons.
IV. This section shall not apply when the customer requests the termination of service.

Legislative History

1974, 11:1. 1981, 129:1, eff. July 10, 1981. 2022, 245:19, eff. Aug. 20, 2022.