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)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)(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)(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)(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.