Advertising

(1) A utility may not recover from any person other than their shareholders (or other owners) any direct or indirect expenditure for promotional or political advertising. (a) The term “advertising” means the commercial use of any media, including newspaper, printed matter, radio, and television, in order to transmit a message to a substantial number of members of the public or to gas customers. (b) The term “political advertising” means any advertising for the purpose of influencing public opinion with respect to legislative, administrative, or electoral matters, or with respect to any controversial issue of public importance. (c) The term “promotional advertising” means any advertising for the purpose of encouraging any person to select or use gas service or additional gas service or the selection or installation of any appliance or equipment designed to use gas service. (d) The terms “political advertising” and “promotional advertising” do not include: 1. Advertising which informs gas customers how they can conserve energy or can reduce peak demand for gas; 2. Advertising required by law or regulation, including advertising required under Part 1 of Title II of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act; 3. Advertising regarding service interruptions, safety measures or emergency conditions; 4. Advertising concerning employment opportunities; 5. Advertising which promotes the use of energy efficient appliances, equipment, services, or which informs customers that natural gas is cheaper and/or more efficient than other fuels; or 6. Any explanation or justification of existing or proposed rate schedules or notification of hearings thereon. REGULATIONS FOR GAS COMPANIES CHAPTER 1220-04-05