§ 3204. — Special rules for standards.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 15USC3204]
TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 59--RETAIL POLICIES FOR NATURAL GAS UTILITIES
Sec. 3204. Special rules for standards
(a) Procedures for termination of gas service
The procedures for termination of service referred to in section
3203(b)(1) of this title are procedures prescribed by the State
regulatory authority (with respect to gas utilities for which it has
ratemaking authority) or the nonregulated gas utility which provide
that--
(1) no gas service to a gas consumer may be terminated unless
reasonable prior notice (including notice of rights and remedies) is
given to such consumer and such consumer has a reasonable
opportunity to dispute the reasons for such termination, and
(2) during any period when termination of service to a gas
consumer would be especially dangerous to health, as determined by
the State regulatory authority (with respect to each gas utility for
which it has ratemaking authority) or nonregulated gas utility, and
such consumer establishes that--
(A) he is unable to pay for such service in accordance with
the requirements of the utility's billing, or
(B) he is able to pay for such service but only in
installments,
such service may not be terminated.
Such procedures shall take into account the need to include reasonable
provisions for elderly and handicapped consumers.
(b) Advertising
(1) For purposes of this section and section 3203 of this title--
(A) The term ``advertising'' means the commercial use, by a gas
utility, of any media, including newspaper, printed matter, radio,
and television, in order to transmit a message to a substantial
number of members of the public or to such utility's gas consumers.
(B) The term ``political advertising'' means any advertising for
the purpose of influencing public opinion with respect to
legislative, administrative, or electoral matters, or with respect
to any controversial issue of public importance.
(C) The term ``promotional advertising'' means any advertising
for the purpose of encouraging any person to select or use the
service or additional service of a gas utility or the selection or
installation of any appliance or equipment designed to use such
utility's service.
(2) For purposes of this section and section 3203 of this title, the
terms ``political advertising'' and ``promotional advertising'' do not
include--
(A) advertising which informs natural gas consumers how they can
conserve natural gas or can reduce peak demand for natural gas,
(B) advertising required by law or regulation, including
advertising required under part 1 of title II of the National Energy
Conservation Policy Act [42 U.S.C. 8211 et seq.],
(C) advertising regarding service interruptions, safety
measures, or emergency conditions,
(D) advertising concerning employment opportunities with such
utility,
(E) advertising which promotes the use of energy efficient
appliances, equipment or services, or
(F) any explanation or justification of existing or proposed
rate schedules, or notification of hearings thereon.
(Pub. L. 95-617, title III, Sec. 304, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3151.)
References in Text
The National Energy Conservation Policy Act, referred to in subsec.
(b)(2)(B), is Pub. L. 95-619, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3208. Part 1 of
title II of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act was classified
generally to part A (Sec. 8211 et seq.) of subchapter II of chapter 91
of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, and was omitted from the
Code pursuant to section 8229 of Title 42 which terminated authority
under that part June 30, 1989. For complete classification of this Act
to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 8201 of Title 42
and Tables.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in section 3203 of this title.
