Help is on the way for PG&E customers behind on their bills, as several new regulations adopted by the state Public Utilities Commission Thursday are designed to reduce disconnections this coming winter.

Close to four percent of California utility customers have had their service cut, at least temporarily, according to the latest PUC figures. It’s the result, says spokeswoman Dian Grueneich, of the poor economy.

“What we certainly have told all the utilities is that they need to have flexibility,” said Grueneich. “If somebody is making a good-faith effort this is the wrong time to be disconnecting them.”

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Of the four major utility companies statewide, PG&E is the leader in customer disconnections, nearly double that of San Diego Gas and Electric for low-income customers.

The new rules mandate that utilities warn at-risk customers, in some cases by a face-to-face warning. Cash deposits to re-connect service are no longer automatic, and customers must be advised of the right to make payment arrangements before the lights go out.

PG&E Spokeswoman Nicole Leibert says the company has adopted new policies to help minimize disconnections, adding they are down 22 percent from this time a year ago.