Chapter PSC 113

PSC 113.0403(10) (10) Time of refund. The deposit of a commercial or farm customer shall be refunded after 24 consecutive months of prompt payment.

PSC 113.0403(11) (11) Method of refund. Any deposit or portion thereof refunded to a commercial or farm customer shall be refunded by check unless both the customer and the utility agree to a credit on the regular billing, or unless sub. (13) applies.

PSC 113.0403(12) (12) Refund at termination of service. Upon termination of commercial or farm service, the deposit, with accrued interest, shall be credited to the final bill and the balance shall be returned within 30 days of issuing the final bill.

PSC 113.0403(13) (13) Arrearages. An arrearage owed by a commercial or farm customer may be deducted from the customer’s deposit under the following conditions.

PSC 113.0403(13)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (c), a deposit may be used by the utility only to satisfy an arrearage occurring after the deposit was made.

PSC 113.0403(13)(b) (b) If the utility deducts an arrearage from a customer deposit, it may require the customer to bring the deposit up to its original amount. Failure of the customer to do so within 20 days of mailing a written request for payment is a ground for disconnection.

PSC 113.0403(13)(c) (c) When a deposit is refunded to the customer, the utility may first deduct any arrearage owed by the customer, whether the arrearage arose prior to or after the date of the deposit.

PSC 113.0403(14) (14) Applicability. The provisions of subs. (3) and (4) are not applicable to deposits or guarantees made in connection with the financing of extensions or other equipment.

PSC 113.0403 History History: Cr. Register, July, 2000, No. 535, eff. 8-1-00; CR 02-027: am. (4) (b), Register December 2002 No. 564, eff. 1-1-03.

PSC 113.0404 PSC 113.0404 Deferred payment agreement.

PSC 113.0404(1) (1) The utility is required to offer deferred payment agreements only to residential accounts and may offer such agreements to other customers.

PSC 113.0404(2) (2) Every deferred payment agreement entered into due to the customer’s inability to pay the outstanding bill in full shall provide that service will not be discontinued if the customer pays a reasonable amount of the outstanding bill and agrees to pay a remaining outstanding balance in installments.

PSC 113.0404(3) (3) For purposes of determining reasonableness in sub. (2), the parties shall consider the customer’s ability to pay, including the following factors:

PSC 113.0404(3)(a) (a) Size of the delinquent account.

PSC 113.0404(3)(b) (b) Customer’s payment history.

PSC 113.0404(3)(c) (c) Time that the debt has been outstanding.

PSC 113.0404(3)(d) (d) Reasons why debt has been outstanding.

PSC 113.0404(3)(e) (e) Any other relevant factors concerning the circumstances of the customer, such as household size, income and expenses.

PSC 113.0404(4) (4) A utility may require a written deferred payment agreement with the customer’s signature. A written agreement offered by a utility shall state immediately preceding the space provided for the customer’s signature in at least 12-point boldface print,

“RIGHT OF APPEAL

• If you are not satisfied with this agreement, DO NOT SIGN IT.

• You have the right to suggest a different payment agreement.

• If you and the utility can not agree on terms, you can ask the public service commission to review the disputed issues.

• If you sign this agreement, you agree that you owe the amount due under the agreement.

• Signing this agreement does not affect your responsibility to pay for your current service.”

A utility that does not require a written deferred payment agreement shall communicate to the customer all points listed above except for the signature when making the arrangement with the customer. A utility must send written confirmation of a deferred payment agreement upon customer request. The commission may require a utility to use written deferred payment agreements.

PSC 113.0404(5) (5) A delinquent amount covered by a deferred payment agreement shall not be subject to a late payment charge if the customer meets the payment schedule required by the agreement.

PSC 113.0404(6) (6) A special payment agreement entered into by the customer and the utility through the utility’s early identification program shall be given the force and effect of a deferred payment agreement for purposes of late payment charges.

PSC 113.0404(7) (7) If a utility customer has not fulfilled the terms of a deferred payment agreement and there has not been a significant change in the customer’s ability to pay since the agreement was negotiated, the utility may disconnect utility service pursuant to disconnection of service rules, ss. PSC 113.0301 and 113.0304 and shall not be required to negotiate a subsequent deferred payment agreement prior to disconnection.

PSC 113.0404(8) (8) Payments made by a customer in compliance with a deferred payment agreement shall first be considered made in payment of the previous account balance with any remainder credited to the current bill.

PSC 113.0404(9) (9) If a deferred payment agreement cannot be reached because the customer’s offer is unacceptable to the utility, the utility shall inform the customer in writing why the customer’s offer was not acceptable.

PSC 113.0404 History History: Cr. Register, July, 2000, No. 535, eff. 8-1-00.

PSC 113.0405 PSC 113.0405 Meter readings and billing periods. Readings of all meters used for determining charges to customers shall be scheduled no less frequently than once every two months. Utilities may offer quarterly or semiannual meter-reading plans to customers who elect such an option. An effort shall be made to read meters on corresponding days of each meter-reading period cycle. The meter-reading date may be advanced or postponed not more than 5 days without adjustment of the billing for the period. Bills for service shall be rendered within 40 days from the reading of the meter except as may be otherwise specifically authorized by the commission. The utility may permit the customer to supply the meter readings on a form supplied by the utility, or by telephone or electronic mail, provided a utility representative reads the meter at least once each 6 months and when there is a change of customer. The utility shall make reasonable efforts to read the meters of customers whose meters require access to a residence and who cannot be available during normal business hours.

PSC 113.0405 History History: Cr. Register, July, 2000, No. 535, eff. 8-1-00.

PSC 113.0406 PSC 113.0406 Billing.

PSC 113.0406(1) (1) 

PSC 113.0406(1)(a) (a) Each bill, including the customer’s receipt, provided by Madison Gas and Electric Company, Northern States Power Company, Superior Water, Light and Power Company, Wisconsin Electric Power Company, Wisconsin Power and Light Company, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, or their successors, shall show for each meter the following information:

PSC 113.0406(1)(a)1. 1. The customer name, billing address and service address, if different from the billing address.

PSC 113.0406(1)(a)2. 2. For residential customers in multi-unit buildings, current meter identification information or number and account number.

PSC 113.0406(1)(a)3. 3. The present and last preceding meter readings.

PSC 113.0406(1)(a)4. 4. The present and last preceding meter reading dates.

PSC 113.0406(1)(a)5. 5. The next scheduled meter reading date.

PSC 113.0406(1)(a)6. 6. The number of days in the billing period.

PSC 113.0406(1)(a)7. 7. The number of units consumed.

PSC 113.0406(1)(a)8. 8. The class of service with clear explanation of codes and abbreviations.

PSC 113.0406(1)(a)9. 9. The rate schedule under which the bill is calculated including the itemized calculations of the rate schedule component including, but not limited to, such items as customer charge, energy blocks, demand charges, minimum bills and all other billing factors necessary for the customer to check the calculation of the bill.

PSC 113.0406(1)(a)10. 10. Clear itemized adjustment clause bill calculation.

PSC 113.0406(1)(a)11. 11. Amount subject to tax, tax rate and tax billed.

PSC 113.0406(1)(a)12. 12. Clear itemization of the amount of the bill for the present billing period, any unpaid balance from previous billing periods and any late payment charges.

PSC 113.0406(1)(a)13. 13. Clear itemization of other utility charges and credits.

PSC 113.0406(1)(a)14. 14. Degree day information.

PSC 113.0406(1)(a)15. 15. A statement that the utility will, upon customer request, provide the information and assistance necessary for the customer to evaluate fuel consumption and conservation.

PSC 113.0406(1)(b) (b) Upon receiving such request in par. (a) 15., the utility shall provide consumption and degree day information by billing periods for at least the last year and information and instructions needed by the customer to make consumption comparisons and evaluate his or her conservation efforts.

PSC 113.0406(1)(c) (c) Bills rendered without an actual meter reading shall be specifically marked as estimated.

PSC 113.0406(1)(d) (d) Each bill, including the customer’s receipt rendered by electric utilities not included in par. (a), shall show the present and last preceding meter readings, the date of the present reading, the number of units consumed, the class of service if other than residential and the rate schedule under which the bill is calculated. In lieu of including the rate schedule on the bill the utility may, whenever a rate change becomes effective or at least once a year, supply each customer with the schedule of rates at which the bills are calculated and any other rates that might be applicable. Such a schedule shall be written in clear and direct language in no smaller type than 10-point type. Bills rendered at rates requiring the measurement of a number of different factors shall show all data necessary for the customer to check the calculation of a bill. All monthly adjustment clause factors necessary for a customer to check the calculation of the bill shall be included on the monthly bill. Minimum and estimated bills shall be distinctly marked as such. Estimated bills are bills rendered without actual meter readings.

PSC 113.0406(1)(e) (e) The utility may include on the utility service bill charges to the customer resulting from other services, materials, or work provided by the utility as a result of commission-approved conservation and alternative energy programs and, with the consent of both the customer and the utility, merchandise and service repair work charges. The charges shall be listed individually on the bill and the customer shall be permitted to include such payment in his or her payment for electric utility service. Any partial payments shall be applied first to the amount due for utility service and the remainder to the other charges.

PSC 113.0406(1)(f) (f) Costs or fees incurred by and awarded to the utility by a court of law, for pursuing bill collection through other agencies, such as small claims courts, or extraordinary collection charges as allowed and specified in the utility’s tariffs filed with the public service commission, may be included on the utility’s service bill. Such tariffs shall be established on the basis of rate case proceedings or generic proceedings to establish the reasonableness of such charges.

PSC 113.0406(1)(g) (g) The commission may authorize the utility to make late payment charges to a customer’s utility service bill that is not paid in full within 20 days following issuance of the bill and for utility service that has been obtained by diversion around or tampering with the metering of the account. The late payment charge may be either a one-time charge as provided in par. (h) or a monthly charge as provided in par. (i). The utility shall receive approval from the commission of the method it desires to use and shall not change methods without commission approval.

PSC 113.0406(1)(h) (h) If the utility is authorized to make a one-time late payment charge, such charge shall comply with the following requirements:

PSC 113.0406(1)(h)1. 1. The bill shall clearly indicate the amount of the late payment charge and the date after which the late payment charge shall be applied.

PSC 113.0406(1)(h)2. 2. Except as provided in par. (i) 8., late payment charges shall be applied no sooner than 20 days after the date of issuance of the bill.

PSC 113.0406(1)(h)3. 3. The amount of the late payment charge shall be 3% of the bill, except a minimum charge of $.50 shall apply. The charge shall not exceed 1% per month (12% per annum) for forbearances occurring primarily, for personal, family or household purposes where the only charge is a late charge.

PSC 113.0406(1)(h)4. 4. Late payment charges shall be applied to all customer classes and rate classifications.

PSC 113.0406 Note Note: See s. PSC 113.0404 (5) and (6).

PSC 113.0406(1)(h)5. 5. A late payment charge shall be applied only once to any given amount outstanding.

PSC 113.0406(1)(h)6. 6. If a customer disputes a bill for utility service or portion thereof and does not pay the disputed bill in full within 20 days following issuance of the bill, the late payment charge shall be applied only to that portion of the disputed bill later found to be correct and payable to the utility.

PSC 113.0406(1)(h)7. 7. Bills issued for utility service previously unbilled because of meter diversion or tampering with the proper metering of the account may include a late payment charge when issued.

PSC 113.0406(1)(i) (i) If the utility is authorized to make monthly late payment charges, such charges shall comply with the following requirements.

PSC 113.0406(1)(i)1. 1. The amount of the charge shall be no more than 1% per month and shall be filed with and approved by the commission before it can be applied. The charge shall not exceed 1% per month (12% per annum) for forbearances occurring primarily, for personal, family or household purposes where the only charge is a late charge.

PSC 113.0406(1)(i)2. 2. The late payment charge shall be applied to the total unpaid balance for utility service, including unpaid late payment charges.

PSC 113.0406(1)(i)3. 3. Except as provided in subd. 9., the late payment charge shall be applied no sooner than 20 days after the date of issuance of the bill.

PSC 113.0406(1)(i)4. 4. The late payment charge shall be applied to all customer classes and rate classifications.

PSC 113.0406(1)(i)5. 5. If a customer disputes a bill for utility service or portion thereof and does not pay the disputed bill in full within 20 days following issuance of the bill, the late payment charge shall be applied only to that portion of the disputed bill later found to be correct and payable to the utility.

PSC 113.0406(1)(i)6. 6. The utility may not waive any properly applied late payment charge, except when the utility fails to obtain scheduled meter readings, the utility shall waive the late payment charge upon dispute of the estimate by the customer.

PSC 113.0406 Note Note: See s. PSC 113.0404 (5) and (6).

PSC 113.0406(1)(i)7. 7. No additional late payment charge may be applied to a delinquent account for utility service after the date on which the delinquent account was written off by the utility as uncollectible.

PSC 113.0406(1)(i)8. 8. If a utility changes the type of late payment charge or initiates a late payment charge, the new charge shall apply only to utility service provided after the effective date of the change or initiation.

PSC 113.0406(1)(i)9. 9. Bills issued for utility service that was previously unbilled because of meter diversion or tampering with the proper metering of the account may include a late payment charge when issued. The late payment charge may be applied from the estimated date that the diversion or tampering began.

PSC 113.0406(1)(j) (j) A customer who receives a lump sum payment from an outside source to be used to pay his or her utility service bill may, at the utility’s option, apply the payment to the customer’s account in equal monthly installments.

PSC 113.0406(2) (2) 

PSC 113.0406(2)(a) (a) If the billing period is longer or shorter than allowed in s. PSC 113.0405, the bill shall be prorated on a daily basis unless other provision is made in the utility’s filed rules.

PSC 113.0406(2)(b) (b) If the utility is unable to gain access to read a standard residential meter at the end of each billing period, the utility shall, upon customer request, provide meter reading forms which allow the customer to send a card reading in time for billing. If actual readings cannot be obtained, the utility shall also leave a meter reading form at the premises for the customer to complete and return to the utility in time for bill preparation or leave a form at the premises explaining the estimation or leave a form at the premises explaining the estimation and how to avoid future estimations. This form shall be used when billing systems do not have sufficient time to allow the customer to return the card reading prior to billing.

PSC 113.0406(2)(c) (c) If no form is left on the premises, or if the form is not returned in time to be processed in the billing cycle, a minimum or estimated bill may be rendered. In cases of emergency the utility may render minimum or estimated bills without reading meters or supplying meter reading forms to customers. Only in unusual cases or when approval is obtained from the customer may more than three consecutive estimated bills be rendered.

PSC 113.0406(2)(d) (d) If meter reading is not scheduled on a monthly basis, the utility shall supply customers with meter reading forms for the periods when the meter is not scheduled to be read by the utility. Customers may not be required to provide these meter readings. If the customer informs the utility he or she does not desire to supply a reading, or if the form is not returned in time for the billing operation, a minimum or estimated bill may be rendered.

PSC 113.0406(2)(e) (e) When an actual meter reading indicates that a previous estimated bill was abnormally high or low, the utility shall calculate the bill for the entire period as if use of service was uniformly distributed throughout the period. The previous estimated charge shall be deducted from the recomputed total. If there is evidence to indicate that actual use was not uniform throughout the period, the billing shall be adjusted according to available information.

PSC 113.0406(3) (3) 

PSC 113.0406(3)(a) (a) Credits due a customer because of meter inaccuracies, errors in billing, or misapplication of rates shall be shown separately and identified.

PSC 113.0406(3)(b) (b) The original billing rendered because of meter inaccuracy, or errors in billing, or misapplication of rates, shall be separated from the regular bill and the charges explained in detail.

PSC 113.0406(4) (4)