SCC seeks input on shut-off time limits
Virginia regulators are seeking comment on time limits that utility providers have to shut off services for customers with serious medical conditions.
The State Corporation Commission says electric- and water-service providers can't terminate a residential customer's service without 10 days' notice.
Under the proposal, customers who provide proof of a serious medical condition for themselves or someone in their household could seek an additional 30 days before service is disconnected. Customers could delay service termination twice within a 12-month period.
The proposal also allows additional time for customers to enter into a payment plan with the utility, or make other arrangements for housing or medical care.
Virginia lawmakers directed the SCC to have regulations in place by Oct. 31. Comments are due by Aug. 16.
Danville delivery the last for White Pages
Virginia is saying goodbye to the Verizon residential White Pages.
The company says it will end automatic delivery of its printed White Pages listings with the delivery of the Danville directory this month.
After that, the listings will be available online, and customers can request free printed or CD-ROM listings.
The next directory for the Richmond area comes out in February.
It and other Yellow Pages directories still will have the business and government White Pages listings, the consumer guide and the Yellow Pages ads. Those directories just won't have the residential White Pages.
Information about how to continue to receive residential White Pages listings and access them online will be displayed on the covers and table of contents of those directories. Verizon also will notify customers of their options in quarterly bill inserts.
Verizon asked state regulators last August to waive the requirement that it deliver the residential White Pages. The request was granted in May.
Verizon says the move will save an estimated 1,640 tons of waste each year.
Virginia joins a handful of other states that have lifted the requirement to deliver the white pages as usage has decreased because of the Internet and mobile searches
From staff and wire reports
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