(1) TDU costs associated with performing standard meter
reads for the purpose of switches, to the extent not reflected in
base rates, shall be considered costs incurred in deploying advanced
metering functionality and are to be considered in setting a surcharge
established under PURA §39.107 (h) and §25.130 of this title
(relating to Advanced Metering). The costs shall be included in the
annual reports filed pursuant to §25.130(k)(5) of this title
as actual costs spent to date in the deployment of Advanced Metering
Systems (AMS) and shall be considered in setting, reconciling and
or updating the AMS surcharge pursuant to §25.130(k) of this
title; or,
(2) a TDU shall create a regulatory asset for the expenses
associated with performing standard meter reads for the purpose of
switches pursuant to this subsection. Upon review of reasonableness
and necessity, a reasonable level of amortization of such a regulatory
asset, including carrying charges, shall be included as a recoverable
cost in the TDU's rates in its next rate case or such other rate recovery
proceeding as deemed necessary.
(p) Meter reads for the purpose of a standard switch.
(1) Beginning December 1, 2009, a TDU shall perform
actual, as opposed to estimated, meter reads for at least 80% of meter
reads for the purpose of a standard switch in any given month, and
at least 95% of meter reads for the purpose of a standard switch in
any calendar year, exclusive of remote meter reads using advanced
meters. Until December 1, 2009, a TDU may perform estimated meter
reads for standard switch requests only for residential customers,
exclusive of customers with meters that have remote read capability.
A TDU shall use best efforts to perform as many actual reads as possible
for standard switches.
(2) Notwithstanding §25.214 of this title (relating
to Terms and Conditions of Retail Delivery Service Provided by Investor
Owned Transmission and Distribution Utilities), an estimated meter
read for the purpose of a standard switch is not subject to adjustment,
except as provided in subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph. A
customer is obligated to pay a bill based upon an estimated meter
read for the purpose of a switch, including any adjustment made pursuant
to subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph.
(A) The TDU shall adjust the estimated meter read if
the losing REP's billed usage is greater than the total kilowatt-hours
used by the customer in the TDU monthly meter read cycle during which
the estimate was made.
(B) Only upon the receipt of a customer dispute of
the estimated usage to either the gaining or losing REP, either REP
may request the TDU to review the estimate. In reviewing the estimate,
the TDU shall promptly calculate the average actual kWh usage per
day for the time period from the actual meter reading occurring prior
to the estimated reading to the actual meter reading occurring after
the estimated reading. The TDU shall determine whether the usage per
day for the estimated period prior to the switch is at least 25% greater
than, or 25% less than, the average actual kWh usage per day. If so,
the TDU shall promptly adjust the estimated meter read. The TDU may
adjust an estimate that does not meet this 25% threshold, on a non-discriminatory
basis.
(C) The TDU shall apply a reasonable methodology in
making adjustments pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph
and shall make the methodology available to REPs. Consistent with
any meter read adjustments, the TDU shall adjust its invoices to the
affected REP or REPs.
(3) A TDU shall file performance reports with the commission
as part of the information filed under §25.88 of this title (relating
to Retail Market Performance Measure Reporting). These reports shall
show by month the number and percentages of actual and estimated meter
reads for the purpose of switches, and whether that month's performance
was in compliance with paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(q) Scheduled switch date. Once a TDU notifies the
REPs of a scheduled switch date, the TDU shall perform an actual or
estimated read of the customer's meter for that date.
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Source Note: The provisions of this §25.474 adopted to be effective August 1, 2004, 29 TexReg 4756; amended to be effective March 8, 2007, 32 TexReg 1286; amended to be effective July 5, 2009, 34 TexReg 4306; amended to be effective November 28, 2011, 36 TexReg 7982; amended to be effective March 8, 2017, 42 TexReg 1011 |