Customer contribution fund.

19.14(1) Applicability and purpose. This rule applies to each gas public utility, as defined in Iowa Code sections 476.1 and 476.1B, and is intended to implement Iowa Code section 476.66.#

19.14(2) Notification. Each utility shall notify all customers of the customer contribution fund at least twice a year. Upon commencement of service and at least once a year, the notice will be mailed or personally delivered to all customers, or provided by electronic means to those customers who have consented to receiving electronic notices. The other notice may be published in a local newspaper(s) of general circulation within the utility's service territory. A utility serving fewer than 6,000 customers may publish its semiannual notices locally in a free newspaper, utility newsletter, or shopper's guide instead of a newspaper. At a minimum, the notice shall include:#

a.A description of the availability and the purpose of the fund;#

b.A customer authorization form that includes a monthly billing option and any other methods of contribution.#

19.14(3) Methods of contribution. Contributions will be provided as monthly pledges, as well as one-time or periodic contributions. A pledge will not be construed to be a binding contract between the utility and the pledgor. The pledge amount shall not be subject to delayed payment charges by the utility. Each utility may allow persons or organizations to contribute matching funds.#

19.14(4) Annual report. On or before September 30 of each year, each utility shall file with the commission a report of all the customer contribution fund activity for the previous fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30. The report shall be in a form provided by the commission and contain an accounting of the total revenues collected and all distributions of the fund. The utility shall report all utility expenses directly related to the customer contribution fund.#

Source history[ARC 9351C, IAB 6/11/25, effective 7/16/25]#