(a) Each utility may require an applicant for service to satisfactorily establish credit which will be deemed established if:

1. (1) The applicant owns the premises to be served or other real estate within the county, unless the applicant is an unsatisfactory credit risk; or
2. (2) The applicant demonstrates that he is a satisfactory credit risk by appropriate means including, but not limited to, references which may be quickly and inexpensively checked by the utility; or
3. (3) The applicant has been a customer of the utility for a similar type of service within a period of twenty‑four consecutive billings preceding the date of application and during the last twelve consecutive billings for that prior service has not had service discontinued for nonpayment of bill or had more than two occasions in which a bill was not paid when it became due; provided, that the average periodic bill for such previous service was equal to at least fifty per centum of that estimated for the new service; and provided further, that the credit of the applicant is unimpaired; or
4. (4) The applicant furnishes a satisfactory guarantor to secure payment of bills for the service requested in a specified amount not to exceed the amount of the cash deposit prescribed in Rule R12‑4 of these rules; or
5. (5) The applicant makes a cash deposit to secure payment of bills for service as prescribed in Rule R12‑4 of these rules.

(b) The establishment of credit under the provisions of this rule, or the reestablishment of credit under the provisions of Rule R12‑3 of these rules, shall not relieve the applicant for service or customer from compliance with the reasonable regulations of the utility including, but not limited to, the prompt payment of bills and the rules for discontinuance of service for the nonpayment of bills due for service furnished.

NCUC Docket No. M‑100, Sub 28, 5/6/70.)