What legal obligations do utility companies have to their customers?
Utility companies have certain legal obligations to their customers in Arkansas. One of the most important obligations is to provide reliable, safe, and uninterrupted services. This includes providing customer notification of any planned interruptions in service, as well as responding quickly to repair requests. Utility companies must also ensure that their customers receive accurate bills and are allowed sufficient time to pay them. Utility companies in Arkansas must also provide customers with a written statement of their rights and responsibilities and must allow customers to dispute a disputed bill or charge within a reasonable amount of time. Utility companies must also maintain fair access to public utility services. They must never charge customers an excessive rate or deny customers access to public utility services for any reason other than a violation of the terms of the service agreement. In addition, utility companies must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including safety and pollution regulations. Utility companies in Arkansas must ensure employees are properly trained in order to keep customers safe and their services in working order. Finally, utility companies must provide a fair and accurate billing and customer service system. This includes a billing system that accurately tracks customer usage, bills customers on time, and allows customers to dispute charges. The customer service system must also be helpful and responsive to customers’ needs.
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