Michigan Administrative Code
Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Public Service Commission
Consumer Standards And Billing Practices For Electric And Gas Residential Service
Part 4 - METER READING PROCEDURES, METER ACCURACY, METER ERRORS AND METER RELOCATION
Section R. 460.113 - Actual and estimated meter reading
Current through Vol. 24-04, March 15, 2024
Rule 13.
(1) Except as specified in these rules, a utility shall provide all customers with an actual meter reading each billing month.
(2) A utility shall outline in its tariff a process that addresses missing or invalid usage data affecting the amount billed to a customer and that ensures the amount billed during the billing period is appropriate.
(3) A utility may estimate a meter reading under any of the following circumstances:
(4) If a utility estimates a meter reading pursuant to subrule (3)(c) or (3)(d) of this rule, the utility shall notify the customer of all of the following information:
(5) If a meter reading equipment failure occurs, the utility shall make all reasonable efforts to replace or repair equipment so that not more than 2 estimated bills are issued.
(6) A utility shall not use estimated meter reads to deny residential customers the benefit of a lower-tiered rate, if available.
(7) If a utility cannot obtain an actual meter reading, then the utility shall maintain records of the efforts made to obtain such a reading and its reasons for failing to obtain it.
(8) A utility may estimate customer bills only upon a finding by the commission that a utility's estimated bill procedures assure reasonable billing accuracy. A bill that is rendered on an estimated basis shall be clearly and conspicuously identified as such. A utility shall submit any substantive changes to its billing estimation procedures to the commission for approval.
(9) An estimated bill that is generated because the actual meter reading is outside the range for the premises usage shall not be issued in consecutive months. If the utility is actively engaged in resolving the problem, an additional 30 days is permitted to correct the problem and obtain an actual meter reading.
(10) If a utility shuts off service due to nonpayment, the utility shall complete a final reading, or, if unable to obtain an actual meter reading after reasonable attempts, the utility may estimate the bill.
(11) If a utility estimates a customer's bill for 2 or more consecutive months and an actual meter reading is then obtained, the utility shall offer the residential and small nonresidential customer the opportunity to pay the bill over the same number of months as consecutively estimated bills. This subrule does not apply if the utility cannot obtain access to the meter and the customer fails to provide an actual meter reading if requested by the utility.
