(a) The commission shall accept, compile, and attempt to informally resolve consumer complaints regarding core transport agents. If the commission reasonably suspects a pattern of customer abuses, the commission may, on its own motion, initiate investigations into the activities of a core transport agent offering gas service. Consumer complaints regarding service by a public agency offering gas service within the political boundary of the public agency or service territory of a local publicly owned gas utility shall continue to be resolved by the public agency. Within the service territory of a local publicly owned utility, consumer complaints arising from the violation of core transport service rules adopted by the governing body of the local publicly owned utility shall be resolved through the local publicly owned utility’s consumer complaint procedures.
(b) Notwithstanding other provisions, core gas customers shall have the option to proceed with a complaint against a core transport agent either through an action filed in the judicial court system or through a complaint filed with the commission. A customer who elects either the judicial or commission remedies may not raise the same claim in both forums. The commission shall have the authority to accept, compile, and resolve core gas consumer complaints, including the authority to award reparations. The commission’s authority in these complaint proceedings is limited to adjudication of complaints regarding core gas service provided by a core transport agent and shall not be expanded to include an award of any damages through regulation of the rates or charges of the core transport agent. However, a person or core transport agent that takes a conflict to the commission shall not be precluded from pursuing an appeal of the decision through the courts as provided for by law.
(c) In connection with customer complaints or commission investigations into customer abuses, core transport agents shall provide the commission access to their accounts, books, papers, and documents related to California transactions as described in Sections 313 and 314, if the information is relevant to the complaint or investigation.
(d) A core transport agent shall not discontinue service to a customer for a disputed amount if that customer has filed a complaint that is pending with the commission, and that customer has paid the disputed amount into an escrow account.
(Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 604, Sec. 4. (SB 656) Effective January 1, 2014.)