Chapter PSC 134

PSC 134.10(3)(c) (c) Whenever a gas utility is required to enter a customer’s premises to re-establish service to relight appliances due to a non-emergency interruption of service, an inspection of the burner ignition and flame appearance shall be made on each appliance which is relit to check for safety and efficient operation. The utility will be prepared to advise the customer relative to the safety and efficiency of connected appliances.

PSC 134.10 History History: 1-2-56; r. and recr. Register, February, 1959, No. 38, eff. 3-1-59; am. (3), Register, March, 1977, No. 255, eff. 4-1-77.

PSC 134.11 PSC 134.11 Meters and control equipment.

PSC 134.11(1) (1) Where possible to do so, all gas quantities required to be reported to the commission shall be metered.

PSC 134.11(2) (2) All gas sold to customers shall be measured by commercially acceptable measuring devices owned and maintained by the utility. The maintenance of the accuracy of the meters shall be the responsibility of the utility.

PSC 134.11(3) (3) Every reasonable effort shall be made to measure at one meter location all gas quantities necessary for billing the customer.

PSC 134.11(4) (4) All gas customers of the same type, pressure, and/or volume classification shall have their gas metered with instruments having like characteristics and at the same pressure base, except that the commission may approve the use of instruments of different types if their use does not result in unreasonable discrimination.

PSC 134.11(5) (5) Any regulators or equipment used to provide service in accordance with commission or filed utility rules and rates shall be commercially acceptable devices owned and maintained by the utility.

PSC 134.11(6) (6) A temperature-compensating meter shall be used whenever a gas meter is subject to the elements of the weather or wide variations in temperature. All present non-compensating installations subject to the elements of the weather and wide variations in temperature shall be changed so that 100% compliance will be attained by the end of the first complete testing cycle as provided in s. PSC 134.30 (1).

PSC 134.11 History History: 1-2-56; r. and recr. Register, February, 1959, No. 38, eff. 3-1-59; cr. (6), Register, January, 1965, No. 109, eff. 2-1-65.

PSC 134.12 PSC 134.12 Meter readings and billing periods. Reading of all meters used for determining charges to customers shall be scheduled monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, or semi-annually. 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, 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 who cannot be available during normal business hours.

PSC 134.12 History History: 1-2-56; r. and recr. Register, February, 1959, No. 38, eff. 3-1-59; am. Register, September, 1982, No. 321, eff. 10-1-82; am. Register, October, 1989, No. 406, eff. 11-1-89.

PSC 134.13 PSC 134.13 Billing.

PSC 134.13(1) (1) 

PSC 134.13(1)(a) (a) All of the information in par. (b) shall be shown for each meter on each bill, including the customer’s receipt, if the bill is provided by any of the following:

PSC 134.13(1)(a)1. 1. Madison Gas and Electric Company.

PSC 134.13(1)(a)2. 2. Northern States Power Company.

PSC 134.13(1)(a)3. 3. Superior Water, Light and Power Company.

PSC 134.13(1)(a)4. 4. Wisconsin Electric Power Company.

PSC 134.13(1)(a)5. 5. Wisconsin Gas LLC.

PSC 134.13(1)(a)6. 6. Wisconsin Power and Light Company.

PSC 134.13(1)(a)7. 7. Wisconsin Public Service Corporation.

PSC 134.13(1)(b) (b) A bill under par. (a), including the customer’s receipt, shall show the following information:

PSC 134.13(1)(b)1. 1. The customer name, billing address and service address, if different from the billing address.

PSC 134.13(1)(b)2. 2. For residential customers in multi-unit buildings, current meter identification information or number and account number.

PSC 134.13(1)(b)3. 3. The present and last preceding meter readings.

PSC 134.13(1)(b)4. 4. The present and last preceding meter reading dates.

PSC 134.13(1)(b)5. 5. The next scheduled meter reading date.

PSC 134.13(1)(b)6. 6. The number of days in the billing period.

PSC 134.13(1)(b)7. 7. The number of units consumed.

PSC 134.13(1)(b)8. 8. The class of service with clear explanation of codes and abbreviations.

PSC 134.13(1)(b)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 134.13(1)(b)10. 10. Clear itemized adjustment clause bill calculation.

PSC 134.13(1)(b)11. 11. Amount subject to tax, tax rate, and tax billed.

PSC 134.13(1)(b)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 134.13(1)(b)13. 13. Clear itemization of other utility charges and credits.

PSC 134.13(1)(b)14. 14. Degree day information.

PSC 134.13(1)(b)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 134.13(1)(c) (c) Upon receiving such request in par. (b) 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 134.13(1)(d) (d) Bills rendered without an actual meter reading shall be specifically marked as estimated.

PSC 134.13(1)(e) (e) Each bill, including the customer’s receipt rendered by gas 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. 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 134.13(1)(f) (f) 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 gas utility service. Any partial payments shall be applied first to the amount due for utility service and the remainder to the other charges.

PSC 134.13(1)(g) (g) 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 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 134.13(1)(h) (h) 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 proper metering of the account. The late payment charge may be either a one-time charge as provided in par. (i) or a monthly charge as provided in par. (j). The utility shall receive approval from the commission of the method it desires to use and shall not change methods without commission approval.

PSC 134.13(1)(i) (i) If the utility is authorized to make a one-time late payment charge, such charge shall comply with the following requirements:

PSC 134.13(1)(i)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 134.13(1)(i)2. 2. Except as provided in subd. 8., late payment charges shall be applied no sooner than 20 days after the date of issuance of the bill.

PSC 134.13(1)(i)3. 3. The amount of the late payment charge shall be 3% of the bill, except a minimum charge of $.30 shall apply.

PSC 134.13(1)(i)4. 4. Late payment charges shall be applied to all customer classes and rate classifications.

PSC 134.13(1)(i)5. 5. The utility shall not waive any properly applied late payment charges.

PSC 134.13 Note Note: See s. PSC 134.063 (5) and (6).

PSC 134.13(1)(i)6. 6. A late payment charge shall be applied only once to any given amount outstanding.

PSC 134.13(1)(i)7. 7. 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 134.13(1)(i)8. 8. 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 134.13(1)(j) (j) If the utility is authorized to make monthly late payment charges, such charges shall comply with the following requirements:

PSC 134.13(1)(j)1. 1. The amount of the charge shall be no more than one and one-half per cent per month and shall be filed and approved by the commission before it can be applied.

PSC 134.13(1)(j)2. 2. The late payment charge shall be applied to the total unpaid balance for utility service, including unpaid late payment charges.

PSC 134.13(1)(j)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 134.13(1)(j)4. 4. The late payment charge shall be applied to all customer classes and rate classifications.

PSC 134.13(1)(j)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 134.13(1)(j)6. 6. The utility may not waive any properly applied late payment charge.

PSC 134.13 Note Note: See s. PSC 134.063 (5) and (6).

PSC 134.13(1)(j)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 uncollectable.

PSC 134.13(1)(j)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 134.13(1)(j)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 134.13(1)(k) (k) 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 134.13(2) (2) 

PSC 134.13(2)(a) (a) If the billing period is longer or shorter than allowed by s. PSC 134.12, the bill shall be prorated on a daily basis unless other provision is made in the utility’s filed rules.

PSC 134.13(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 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 134.13(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 134.13(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 134.13(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 normally 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 134.13(3) (3) 

PSC 134.13(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 134.13(3)(b) (b) The original billing rendered because of meter inaccuracies, errors in billing, or misapplication of rates shall be separated from the regular bill and the charges explained in detail.

PSC 134.13(4) (4) 

PSC 134.13(4)(a) (a) Each bill for service shall be computed at the proper filed rate, which shall be the rate selected by the utility unless the customer selects a rate under par. (e).

PSC 134.13(4)(b) (b) When it is difficult to determine what rate should be applied until there has been actual usage, the rate classification shall be reviewed when there has been adequate usage to determine the lowest applicable rate but no later than the end of the first 12 months of usage. The customer shall be notified as soon as the lowest firm sales service rate option has been determined and be given the option to select a different applicable rate as set forth in par. (e). The rate determined by the utility to be the lowest firm sales service rate option shall be effective with the billing period following the date of notification by the utility unless the customer selects a rate. If the customer selects a rate, the rate shall be effective with the current billing period if required billing information is available but not later than the beginning of the second billing period following the customer’s request.

PSC 134.13(4)(c) (c) A utility may enter into contracts having terms longer than one year, but the rates paid under such contracts shall be the utility’s lowest applicable firm sales service rate option, for which meter usage information is known, on file with the commission at the time of the contract, unless the customer selects another applicable rate at the time of the contract.

PSC 134.13(4)(d) (d) If the utility has information that the customer could qualify for a lower rate by installing equipment, or combining or separating services as allowed under the utility’s rules and regulations, he or she shall be notified; but no change in rates shall be made until the customer makes the necessary modifications. If such modifications are made, the utility shall change the customer’s rate classification effective for the beginning of the current billing period if required billing information is available, but the change shall be effective no later than the beginning of the second billing period following the customer notification to the utility that the modification has been made.

PSC 134.13(4)(e) (e) When a customer is eligible to take service under more than one rate schedule, the utility shall inform the customer at the times specified in par. (f) of the option to select a rate, of the rate options and service classifications for which the customer may be eligible and the conditions necessary to qualify, and of the firm sales service rate option that would have resulted in the lowest rate based on the previous 12 months’ service and on the metered customer usage information known to the utility. The information provided shall include a general explanation of gas service usage characteristics to assist the customer in selecting the lowest rate consistent with the customer’s anticipated usage and needs. If the customer requests a change in rate classification, it shall be effective at the beginning of the current billing period if required billing information is available, but such change shall be effective no later than the beginning of the second billing period following the customer’s request.

PSC 134.13(4)(f) (f) At least once in each calendar year customers with more than one rate option shall be informed of the option to select a rate as set forth in par. (e). The notification requirement may be satisfied through the use of a bill insert. The customer shall also be informed of the option to select a rate whenever there is a change in rates that would affect the customer, and at any other time the customer so requests. If the utility notifies the customer of the option to select a rate as the result of a rate change or a customer request, such notification shall satisfy the requirement to notify the customer at least once in each calendar year.

PSC 134.13(4)(g) (g) Nothing in this section shall be construed as permitting a customer to select a service classification inconsistent with the utility’s applicable tariff provisions or with contractual agreements between the utility and the customer.

PSC 134.13(5) (5) Each utility shall offer a budget payment plan to all prospective and existing residential customers and to all commercial accounts for which the primary purpose of the service is to provide for residential living, subject to the following minimum requirements:

PSC 134.13(5)(a) (a) A budget payment plan tariff shall be on file with the public service commission, applicable only to charges for utility services under public service commission jurisdiction.

PSC 134.13(5)(b) (b) A budget payment plan may be established at any time of the year. The budget amount shall be calculated on the basis of the estimated consumption and estimated applicable rates through the end of the budget year. If the budget year is a fixed year, then prospective and existing customers requesting a budget payment plan after the start of the fixed year shall have their initial monthly budget amount determined on the basis of the number of months remaining in the current budget year.

PSC 134.13(5)(c) (c) An applicant for a budget plan shall be informed at the time of application that budget amounts shall be reviewed and changed every 6 months, if necessary, in order to reflect current circumstances. Adjustments to the budget amount shall be made with the objective that the customer’s underbilled or overbilled balance at the end of the budget year shall be less than one month’s budget amount.

PSC 134.13(5)(d) (d) Customers on the budget payment plan shall be notified of adjustments by means of a bill insert, a message printed on the bill itself, or both. The customer shall be adequately informed of the adjustment at the same time the bill containing the adjustment is rendered.

PSC 134.13(5)(e) (e) Customers who have arrearages shall be allowed to establish a budget payment plan by signing a deferred payment agreement for the arrears, according to the provisions of s. PSC 134.063.