(1) An electric utility must provide payment agencies in locally accessible locations where applicants and customers can make payments at no charge to the applicants and customers. Payment agencies must clearly post and maintain regular business hours.

(2) The utility and its payment agencies must provide receipts for any cash payments made by applicants or customers.

(3) The utility must provide written or electronic notice to the commission's consumer affairs section at least thirty days prior to the closing of any business office, customer service center, or payment agency. In the event that a payment agency is closed on less than thirty days' notice, written or electronic notification is required as soon as the utility becomes aware of the closure. At a minimum, the following information is required:

(a) The communities affected by the closing;

(b) The date of the closing;

(c) A listing of other methods and facility locations available for payment of cash or urgent payments; and

(d) A listing of other methods and locations for obtaining business office and customer service center services.

(4) The utility must include on its regularly scheduled bills a statement referring its customers to a toll-free number for updated payment agency locations.