Sec. 13.4. Reconnection of service

(a) Obligation to reconnect.

(1) A utility shall reconnect service that has been terminated solely for nonpayment of bills for any tariff charge or a security deposit within 24 hours of the customer's request for reconnection, receipt by the utility of the lawful reconnection charge, any other charges, fees or penalties due, legal fees, court costs and disbursements, if applicable, and either:

(i) the full amount of arrears and/or a security deposit for which service was terminated, and any other tariff charges billed after the issuance of the termination notice which are in arrears at the time reconnection is requested; or

(ii) the signing of a deferred payment agreement in accordance with section 13.5 of this Part for the amounts set forth in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, and the receipt of a down payment, if required under the agreement.

(2) A utility shall reconnect service that has been terminated solely for failure to provide access within 24 hours of the customer's request for reconnection, provided the customer has allowed access and has made a reasonable arrangement for future access.

(3) A utility shall reconnect service that has been terminated solely for a violation of the tariff within 24 hours of a customer's request for reconnection and, at the option of the utility, either receipt by the utility of adequate notice and documentation, or a field verification by the utility, that the violation has been corrected; provided, however, that the field verification, if required, shall be arranged within two business days of the customer's request or such later time as may be specified by the customer.

(4) A utility shall reconnect service that has been terminated for two or more independent reasons when the customer has requested reconnection and has satisfied all conditions for reconnection. The reconnection shall be accomplished within the time period applicable to the last condition satisfied under paragraph (1), (2) or (3) of this subdivision.

(5) A utility shall reconnect service that has been terminated within 24 hours after the direction of the commission or its designee, which direction may occur only where the termination was in error, or the customer has filed a complaint with the commission and has either paid in full the undisputed amount established pursuant to section 12.3 of this Title, or has entered into a deferred payment agreement in accordance with section 13.5 of this Part for such amount and has paid the required down payment.

(b) Inability to reconnect.

Whenever circumstances beyond a utility's control, as set forth in section 13.2(a)(1)(i)-(iii) of this Part, prevent reconnection of service within 24 hours of any of the events specified in paragraphs (a)(1)-(5) of this section, service shall be reconnected within 24 hours after those circumstances cease to exist.