North Carolina Administrative Code
Title 04 - COMMERCE
Chapter 11 - UTILITIES COMMISSION
Chapter 6
Section 11 R06-15 - ADJUSTMENT OF BILLS DUE TO INACCURATE METERS FOR RESIDENTIAL AND SMALL COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS
Universal Citation: 11 R 06-15 NC Admin Code 11 R 06-15
Current through Register Vol. 39, No. 6, September 16, 2024
Bills which are incorrect due to meter errors where the meters in question have not been tampered with by the customer are to be adjusted as follows:
(1) Meter Accuracy. - Whenever a meter in service is tested and found to be accurate within 2%, there shall be no adjustment to the customer's bill.
(2) Billing Adjustments. - Billing adjustments due to fast or slow meters shall be calculated on the basis that the meter should be 100% accurate. The actual accuracy shall be the accuracy determined by averaging the results at the check and open rated flow.
(a) Fast Meters. - Whenever a meter in
service is tested and found to have overregistered more than 2%, the utility
shall adjust the customer's bill for the excess amount paid as determined
below, except that the utility need not adjust the customer's bill if the
excess amount paid is less than $5.00.
(i) If
the time at which the error first developed or occurred can reasonably be
determined, the estimated amount of overcharge is to be based on the actual
period of the overcharge but not to exceed a maximum of three (3) years from
the discovery of the error.
(ii) If
the time at which the error first developed or occurred cannot reasonably be
determined, the estimated amount of overcharge is to be based on the most
recent twelve (12) month period from the discovery of the overcharge.
(iii) No part of the minimum bill or
facilities charge shall be refunded.
(iv) The utility shall not be required to
make refunds to more than the last two customers who purchased gas through a
fast meter as defined in the rule.
(b) Slow Meters. - Whenever a meter in
service is tested and found to have underregistered more than 2%, the utility
shall adjust the customer's bill for the deficient amount due as determined
below except that the utility need not adjust the customer's bill if the
deficient amount due is less than $5.00.
(i)
Regardless of whether the time at which the error first developed can or cannot
reasonably be determined, the estimated amount of undercharge may not exceed
one (1) year.
(ii) When billing for
the underregistered usage and the undercharge exceeds $25.00, the utility shall
allow the customer the option of paying the undercharge in equal payments,
without any penalty or interest charges, for a period of time equal to the
period during which the meter underregistered, up to a maximum of one (1)
year.
(c) Nonregistering
Meters. - Whenever a meter is found to be stopped, the utility may estimate and
bill the customer the proper charge for the unregistered service by reference
to the customer's consumption during similar normal periods or by such method
as the Commission may authorize or direct.
(i)
The utility may backbill the customer from the point in time the meter stopped,
up to a maximum of twelve (12) months.
(ii) When billing for the nonregistered
usage, the utility shall allow the customer the option of paying the
undercharge in equal payments, without any penalty or interest charges, for a
period not to exceed the customer's next six (6) billing periods.
NCUC Docket No. G-100, Sub 71, 8/1/96.
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