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)(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)(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)(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 113.0406(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 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 rate option shall be effective with the billing 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 113.0406(4)(c)(c) A utility may enter into contracts with customers having terms longer than one year, but the rates paid under such contracts shall be the utility’s lowest applicable firm 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 113.0406(4)(d)(d) If the utility has information that the customer could qualify for a lower rate by changing voltage delivery, 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’s request and notification has been made.

PSC 113.0406(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 options and service classifications for which the customer may be eligible and the conditions necessary to qualify and of the firm 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 electric 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 113.0406(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 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 113.0406(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 113.0406(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 113.0406(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 113.0406(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 113.0406(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 113.0406(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 113.0406(5)(e)(e) Customers who have arrearages shall be allowed to establish a budget payment plan by signing a deferred payment agreement for arrears, according to the provisions of s. PSC 113.0404.

PSC 113.0406(5)(f)(f) Budget payment plans shall be subject to the late payment charge provisions. In addition, if a budget payment is not paid, the customer shall be notified with the next billing that if proper payment is not received subsequent to this notification, the next regular billing may effectuate the removal of the customer from the budget plan and reflect the appropriate amount due.

PSC 113.0406(5)(g)(g) At the end of a budget year, if an underbilled or overbilled balance exists in the account, the balance shall be handled as follows:

PSC 113.0406(5)(g)2.2. A customer’s credit balance shall be applied, at the customer’s option, against the customer’s account, credited in monthly installments to the customer’s account over the course of the next budget year, or refunded to the customer.