(1) A gas utility may refuse to provide new or additional service if:

(a) Providing service does not comply with government regulations or accepted natural gas industry standards;

(b) In the utility's reasonable judgment, the applicant's or customer's installation of piping or gas burning equipment is considered hazardous or of such a nature that safe and satisfactory service cannot be provided;

(c) The applicant or customer does not comply with the utility's request that the applicant or customer provide and install protective devices, when the utility, in its reasonable judgment deems such protective devices are necessary to protect the utility's or other customers' properties from theft or damage;

(d) After reasonable efforts by the responsible party, all necessary rights of way, easements, approvals, and permits have not been secured; or

(e) The customer is known by the utility to have tampered with or stolen the utility's property, used service through an illegal connection, or fraudulently obtained service and the utility has complied with WAC 480-90-128(2), disconnection of service.

(2) A gas utility may not refuse to provide new or additional service to a residential applicant or residential customer who has a prior obligation. A prior obligation is the dollar amount, excluding deposit amounts owed, the utility has billed to the customer and for which the utility has not received payment at the time the service has been disconnected for nonpayment. The utility must provide service once the customer or applicant has paid all appropriate deposit and reconnection fees. This subsection does not apply to customers that have been disconnected for failure to honor the terms of a winter low-income payment program.

(3) The utility may not refuse to provide service to an applicant or customer because there are outstanding amounts due from a prior customer at the same premises, unless the utility can determine, based on objective evidence, that a fraudulent act is being committed, such that the applicant or customer is acting in cooperation with the prior customer with the intent to avoid payment.

(4) The utility may refuse to provide new or additional service for reasons not expressed in subsection (1) of this section, upon prior approval of the commission. The commission may grant the request upon determining that the utility has no obligation to provide the requested service under RCW 80.28.110. Prior to seeking commission approval, the utility must work with the applicant or customer requesting service to seek resolution of the issues involved.

(5) Any applicant or customer who has been refused new or additional service may file with the commission an informal complaint under WAC 480-07-910, Informal complaints; or a formal complaint under WAC 480-07-370, Pleadings—General.