Section 460.3409. Protection of utility-owned equipment on customer's premises.

(1) The customer shall use reasonable diligence to protect utility- owned equipment on the customer's  premises  and  to  prevent tampering or interference with the equipment. The utility may shut off service in accordance with applicable rules of the commission if the metering or wiring on the customer's premises has been tampered with or altered in any manner that allows unmetered or improperly metered  energy to be used or to cause an unsafe condition.

(2)   If a utility shuts off service for unauthorized use of service, then both of the following provisions shall apply:

(a)    The utility may bill the customer for the unmetered energy used and any damages that have been caused to utility-owned equipment.

(b)   The utility is not required to restore service until the customer does all of the following:

(i)     Makes   reasonable  arrangements  for   payment  of    the   charges    in subdivision

(a) of this subrule.

(ii)   Agrees to pay the approved reconnection charges.

(iii)     Agrees to make provisions and pay charges for relocating utility-owned equipment or making other reasonable changes that may be requested by the utility to provide better protection for its  equipment.

(iv)   Provides the utility with reasonable assurance of the customer's compliance with the utility's approved standard rules and regulations.

(3)    Failure to comply with the terms of an agreement to restore service after service has been shut off pursuant to subrule (1) of this rule shall be cause to shut off service in accordance with the rules of the  utility and the commission.

(4)   If service is shut off pursuant to subrule (3) of this rule and the utility must incur extraordinary expenses to prevent the unauthorized restoration of  service,  the utility may bill the  customer   for  the expenses, in addition to all other charges that may apply  under  this   rule, and may require that  the  expenses  and  other   charges   be

paid before restoring service. A reasonable effort shall be made  to  notify   the customer at the time of shutoff that additional charges may apply  if  an attempt is made to restore service that has been shut off.

(5)     The customer of record who benefits from the unauthorized use shall be responsible for payment to the utility for the energy consumed.

(6)    The utility may bill the customer for the reasonable actual cost of the tampering investigation.

History: 1983 AACS; 1996 AACS.