Section 134.14. Adjustment of bills.

 

(1)  Whenever a meter is found to have a weighted average error of more than 2% fast as tested in the manner specified in s. PSC 134.28 , a recalculation of bills for service shall be made for the period of inaccuracy assuming an inaccuracy equal to the weighted average error. Weighted average error refers to 80% of the open rate plus 20% of the check rate. The recalculation shall be made on the basis that the service meter should be 100% accurate.

(2)  If the period of inaccuracy cannot be determined, it shall be assumed that the full amount of inaccuracy existed during the last half of the period since the previous test was made on the meter; however, the period of accuracy shall not exceed one-half the required test period.

(3)  If the average gas bill of a customer does not exceed $10 per month over the refund period the monthly consumption of which the refund is calculated may be averaged.

(4)  If the recalculated bills indicate that more than $1 is due an existing customer or $2 is due a person no longer a customer of the utility, the full amount of the calculated difference between the amount paid and the recalculated amount shall be refunded to the customer. The refund to an existing customer shall be a credit to the customer's current bill. If the amount of the credit is greater than the current bill, the amount in excess of the current bill shall, at the discretion of the customer, be made in cash or as credit on future bills. If a refund is due a person no longer a customer of the utility, a notice shall be mailed to the last known address, and the utility shall upon request made within 3 months thereafter refund the amount due.

(5)  

(a) Whenever a meter with a rated capacity of 400 cubic feet per hour (CFH) or more is found to have a weighted average error of more than 2% slow, the utility shall bill the customer for the amount the test indicates has been undercharged for the period of inaccuracy, which period shall not exceed the last 2 years the meter was in service unless otherwise ordered by the commission after investigation. No back billing for an inaccurate meter will be sanctioned for the following:

1. The customer has called to the company's attention his or her doubts as to the meter's accuracy and the company has failed within a reasonable time to check it.

2. The rated capacity of the meter is 399 cubic feet per hour (CFH) or less.

3. The amount of the backbill is less than $50.

(b) Backbilling shall be required for any size meter for any of the following circumstances.

1. The meter did not register.

2. An incorrect correction factor or meter constant was applied.

3. The meter or service were tampered with.

4. An incorrect index or gear ratio was applied.

5. Meters were switched between customers.

6. Rates were misapplied.

(6)  A classified record shall be kept of the number and amount of refunds and charges made because of inaccurate meters, misapplication of rates, and erroneous billing. A summary of the record for the previous calendar year shall be submitted to the commission by April 1 of each year.

History: Cr. Register, 1 -2-56; r. and recr. Register, February, 1959, No. 38 , eff. 3-1-59; am. (1), (2) and (4), renum. (5) to be (5) (a) and am., cr. (5) (b), Register, November, 1989, No. 407 , eff. 12-1-89.

Note

If the meter test period is 15 years and the meter had been in service for 16 years, the period of accuracy shall be 7 ½ years, and the period of inaccuracy shall be 8 ½ years. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1