Name Changes For Public Utilities

(1) (a) Any public utility (i) changing its registered business name, (ii) adopting an assumed business name, or (iii) discontinuing the use of an assumed business name shall notify the Commission at least thirty (30) days before offering services to Tennessee customers under a new name. (b) A public utility certificated in the state of Tennessee pursuant to T.C.A. § 65-4-201 but not presently offering services to Tennessee customers shall notify the Commission of any change referenced above within thirty (30) days of the change. (2) A notification of any change referenced in subsection (1)(a) above shall include all of the following: (a) For public utilities operating as either a corporation, limited liability company, or limited liability partnership, verification that the public utility has registered the changed or assumed business name with the Office of the Tennessee Secretary of State in compliance with the requirements of T.C.A. §§ 48-14-103, 48-54-103, 48-207-103, or 61-2-103; (b) For public utilities providing telecommunications services in the state of Tennessee, verification that the changed or assumed business name has been recorded in the public utility’s surety bond or letter of credit obtained pursuant to T.C.A. § 65-4-125; (c) If the public utility is currently serving end user customers in the state of Tennessee, a copy of the proposed notice to be sent to the utility’s Tennessee customers for the purpose of informing these customers of the anticipated change in business name, adoption of an assumed business name, or removal of an assumed business name; and (d) If the public utility intends to use more than one business name to provide services in the state of Tennessee, a notice specifying which services will be provided to customers under each name. (3) At its own discretion, the Commission may waive any of the requirements of subsection (2) of this rule for good cause.