1. (a) Acceptance of applications. No gas utility shall:

   1. (1) Refuse to accept an application for service; or
   2. (2) Request an applicant to withdraw an application for service.

2. (b) Service connection requirements.

   1. (1)

      1. (A) All extensions of service shall be made in accordance with the utility's approved extension of facilities tariffs.
      2. (B) An applicant for service must meet all requirements of the Arkansas Public Service Commission's General Service Rules, 23 CAR pt. 455, in order to qualify to receive service.

   2. (2) Where distribution facilities are available.

      1. (A) Service connection deadlines. All reasonable efforts shall be made to serve qualified applicants within five (5) working days after:

3. (i) A permanent service riser has been properly installed; and

   1. (ii) The applicant has notified the utility that he or she is ready to receive gas service.

      1. (B) Quality of service evaluations. For purposes of evaluating the quality of service, ninety-five percent (95%) or more of all qualified applications must be served within the time frame specified above.

      2. (C) Expected service dates.

         1. (i) Each gas utility shall notify the applicant of the expected service date.
         2. (ii) If a gas utility will not be able to connect service on the expected service date, it shall promptly notify the applicant of the new expected service connection date.

   2. (3) Where distribution facilities are not available.

      1. (A) Initial information. Within five (5) working days after receipt of a qualified application for service, a gas utility shall:

         1. (i) Inform or mail notice to the applicant that facilities are not readily available; and
         2. (ii) Inform the applicant that within ten (10) working days the utility will provide the applicant an expected service date.

      2. (B) Written proposal.

         1. (i) Within thirty (30) working days of the receipt of a qualified application, the utility shall provide a written proposal to the applicant for service that shall provide:
4. (a) (a) An explanation of any conditions and circumstances the applicant must meet before service will be provided;

5. (b) (b) A description of the facilities to be constructed; and

   1. (c) (c) If there will be a cost to the applicant, an estimate of his or her cost.

      1. (ii) Exception. When an engineering study is required, the utility shall provide a:
6. (a) (a) Written proposal to the applicant for service within sixty (60) working days of the receipt of the application; or

7. (b) (b) Notice that the company must file for an Arkansas Public Service Commission certificate.

   1. (C) Changing the expected service date. If the gas utility will not be able to connect service on the expected service date, it shall promptly notify the applicant of the new expected service connection date.

Codification Notes: This section was promulgated as Rule 3.01 of the Special Rules — Gas prior to codification in the Code of Arkansas Rules.