196.15 History History: 1993 a. 496.

196.15 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. PSC 113, 134, and 185, Wis. adm. code.

196.16 196.16 Standard measurements; accurate appliances.

196.16(1) (1) The commission shall fix adequate and serviceable standards for the measurement of quality, pressure, initial voltage or other condition pertaining to the supply of the product or service rendered by a public utility. The commission shall prescribe reasonable regulations for measurement, examination and testing of the product or service.

196.16(2) (2) The commission shall establish reasonable rules, regulations, specifications and standards to secure the accuracy of all meters and appliances for measurement of public utility service.

196.16(3) (3) This section does not limit any power of a municipal governing body under s. 196.58.

196.16 History History: 1983 a. 53; 1997 a. 254.

196.16 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. PSC 113, 134, and 185, Wis. adm. code.

196.17 196.17 Tests of meters; fees.

196.17(1) (1) The commission shall provide for the examination and testing of every appliance used for measuring any product or service of a public utility.

196.17(2) (2) Any consumer may have an appliance tested under this section upon payment of a fee fixed by the commission.

196.17(3) (3) The commission shall establish a reasonable fee to be paid for testing appliances under this section if a consumer requests the test. The fee shall be paid by the consumer at the time of his or her request, but shall be repaid to the consumer if the appliance is found to be defective or incorrect to the disadvantage of the consumer.

196.17(4) (4) The commission may purchase materials, apparatus and standard measuring instruments for examinations and tests under this section.

196.17 History History: 1983 a. 53.

196.17 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. PSC 113, 134, and 185, Wis. adm. code.

196.171 196.171 Examination of meters, pipes, fittings, wires and works; entering buildings for.

196.171(1) (1) Any officer or agent of any public utility furnishing or transmitting water, gas or electric current to the public or for public purposes may enter, at any reasonable time, any place supplied with gas, electricity or water by the public utility, for the purpose of inspecting, examining, repairing, installing or removing the meters, pipes, fittings, wires and works for supplying or regulating the supply of gas, electricity or water and for the purpose of ascertaining the quantity of gas, electricity or water supplied.

196.171(2) (2) No officer or agent of a public utility may enter any premises under this section unless the officer or agent:

196.171(2)(a) (a) Was duly appointed by the public utility for the purpose of acting under this section.

196.171(2)(b) (b) Exhibits written authority signed by the president, by a vice president and secretary, or by a vice president and assistant secretary of the public utility. The authority of any officer or agent of a municipally owned public utility shall be signed by the commissioner of public works or by any other official in charge of the public utility.

196.171(3) (3) Any person who directly or indirectly prevents or hinders any officer or agent from entering a premises, or from making an inspection, examination, removal or installation under this section shall be fined not more than $25 for each offense.

196.171 History History: 1983 a. 53.

196.171 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. PSC 113.0611, 134.15, and 185.41, Wis. adm. code.

196.175 196.175 Construction and occupancy standards. The commission may not establish or enforce construction or occupancy standards applicable to any public building, as defined in s. 101.01 (12), dwelling, as defined in s. 101.71 (2) or any occupancy standard applicable to any place of employment as defined in s. 101.01 (11).

196.175 History History: 1979 c. 34; 1983 a. 189 s. 329 (4); 1995 a. 27.

196.18 196.18 Entry upon premises. The commission, its agents, experts or examiners may enter any premises occupied by a public utility to make any examination or test under this chapter and may set up and use on the premises any apparatus or appliance and occupy reasonable space for the examination or test.

196.18 History History: 1983 a. 53.

196.19 196.19 Publish schedules; regulations; files; joint rates.

196.19(1) (1) Each public utility shall file with the commission schedules showing all rates, tolls and charges which it has established and which are in force at the time for any service performed by it within the state, or for any service in connection therewith or performed by any public utility controlled or operated by it. The rates, tolls and charges shown on such schedules may not be changed except as provided under this chapter.