(1) Subject to the limitations herein, the Public Service Commission shall investigate, review and mediate any dispute which qualifies as specified herein between a member or customer and the corporation of which he is a member. The minimum amount of a dispute which shall qualify for mediation under this section shall be: (a) One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) which has accumulated over the past twelve (12) months or (b) ten percent (10%) of the cumulative previous twelve (12) months’ billing, whichever shall be the lesser. Investigation, review and mediation shall be commenced upon the filing of a petition with the Public Service Commission by a corporation or a member or customer of a corporation; provided, however, that the Public Service Commission shall not commence any proceedings nor commence any investigation, review or mediation of any such dispute until it has first been notified by both the member and the corporation of their consent to the investigation, review and mediation. The Public Service Commission also shall not commence any proceedings nor commence any investigation, review or mediation pursuant to such petition if at the time of filing the petition suit has been filed in any court of this state or of the United States with regard to the subject matter of the dispute and in which such corporation and member or customer are parties. Any such petition shall be immediately dismissed if any such suit is filed after filing of the petition with the commission.

(2) In any mediation proceedings commenced under the provisions of this section, the Public Service Commission may, by order entered on its minutes and delivery of a certified copy thereof to the corporation, direct the corporation and the member or customer to provide the Public Service Commission with copies of all statements, accounts and reports concerning the dispute which the Public Service Commission may require. The Public Service Commission is further authorized to conduct and may conduct, or request the Public Utilities Staff to conduct, investigation and mediation of the dispute and may negotiate with the corporation and the member or customer for the resolution thereof. In every mediation proceeding under this section the Public Service Commission may perform only such duties relating to the dispute as it deems reasonable and likely to result in settlement of the dispute between the corporation and the member or customer.

(3) Participation and continued participation in any investigation, proceeding, negotiation or mediation under the provisions of this section shall be voluntary by the corporation and the member or customer.