The State of Vermont protects utility customers through service quality and consumer protection standards, and mandatory utility regulations. The Vermont Public Utility Commission (PUC) administers rules governing utility operations such as deposits, service disconnections, and making reasonable payment arrangements for residential customers who face challenges when paying their bills.
The PUC's rules apply to utilities that provide landline telecommunications, electric, private water, cable television, and natural gas services. The following PUC rules provide protections for consumers:
- PUC Rule 3.200 - Ratepayer Deposits for Gas, Electric, Water, Telephone, and Cable Television Service
- PUC Rule 3.300 - Disconnection of Residential Gas, Electric, and Water Service
- PUC Rule 3.400 - Disconnection of Cable Television Service and Non-residential Electric, Gas, and Water Service
- PUC Rule 4.800 - Campground Submetering
- PUC Rule 7.600 - Standards for Billing, Credit and Collections, and Customer Information for Telecommunications Carriers
- PUC Rule 7.605 - Consumer Bill of Right for landline telephone customers
- PUC Rule 8.000 - Cable Television
- General Order No. 29 - Water Utility Regulations
Propane gas companies, on the other hand, are not regulated by the PUC and operate under a separate set of rules called CF 111. If you have questions or need assistance with a propane issue, contact the Vermont Attorney General's Consumer Assistance Program. For general information about propane regulation and safety, please see the Natural Gas webpage.