| (a) Applicability. This section applies to a transmission and distribution utility (TDU) and a retail electric provider (REP) in an area in which customer choice is available. The implementation of this section shall take effect on July 1, 2010. This section does not limit a TDU's or REP's right to seek redress for meter tampering through civil and criminal proceedings. (b) Back-billing and meter tampering charges. (1) If any meter is found to be non-compliant with the accuracy standards required by §25.121(e) of this title (relating to Meter Requirements), or if the TDU has provided incorrect consumption or billing data to the REP, then consumption or billing data shall be corrected, and adjusted bills shall be rendered. The TDU shall not back-bill for any period in which the current customer was not the customer of record, or the current REP was not the REP of record. The TDU shall not assess any meter tampering fees, meter repair charges, or restoration charges due to meter tampering, if the current customer was not the customer of record when the meter tampering began, or if the current REP was not the REP of record when the meter tampering began. (2) Back-billing under this subsection shall not exceed a period of: (A) three months, if the TDU discovers a non-compliant meter or other equipment that has not been affected by meter tampering and the back-billing would result in additional electricity charges to the customer; or (B) six months, if the TDU discovers a non-compliant meter that has been affected by meter tampering and the back-billing would result in additional charges or fees to the customer. (3) The back-billing shall not be limited if the TDU discovers a non-compliant meter that has not been affected by meter tampering or has provided incorrect meter readings that are unrelated to meter tampering and the back-billing would result in a credit to the customer. (4) In instances where the TDU finds it appropriate, the TDU may assess charges for services received by the customer prior to the six months back-billed to the REP, and the charges assessed beyond six months shall be sent to the end-use customer directly by the TDU. Charges assessed by the TDU pursuant to this paragraph may extend to periods in which the current REP of Record was not the REP of record. Energy charges shall be determined using the ERCOT-wide bus average hub price as calculated by the independent system operator for the applicable time periods. The utility shall notify the current REP of record of the charges assessed to the customer beyond six months. The TDU shall pay the current REP of record 50% of the energy charges collected for the period of time in which that REP was the REP of record. The TDU shall provide the energy charges to the REP pursuant to a method agreed to by the REP and the TDU. (c) Calculation of charges. The charge for any period in which the meter was not in compliance with the accuracy standard shall be based on an estimate using the standards for calculation as stated in the Tariff for Retail Delivery Service, Section 4.8.1.4, adopted pursuant to §25.214 of this title (relating to Terms and Conditions of Retail Delivery Service Provided by Investor Owned Transmission and Distribution Utilities). (d) TDU responsibilities concerning metering accuracy. A TDU shall undertake all reasonable efforts to minimize losses associated with inaccurate meters and meter tampering, including the prompt detection and investigation of circumstances in which a meter is not accurately recording and reporting consumption. The TDU shall also take the steps necessary to deter meter tampering and to mitigate the adverse impacts of inaccurate meters on the metering and billing of electricity consumption. (1) Once meter tampering is determined to have taken place, the TDU shall restore normal meter registration and reading within three business days. If the tampering involves a bypass of the meter, and the TDU cannot eliminate the bypass, the TDU shall, within this period, disconnect service to the premises. (2) Following disconnection, the TDU shall provide written notice of disconnection to the customer of record and notice to the REP using a standard market process. (3) The TDU shall, concurrent with the back-billing, supply the REP with the revised estimated meter read resulting from consumption at the premises that the TDU has determined was not previously billed as a result of the meter tampering. The electronic transaction transmitting the estimated meter read to the REP shall clearly denote that the meter read is an estimate and shall state the reason for the estimation. (4) All applicable meter repair and restoration charges shall be sent in a single transaction by the TDU and shall not be spread over several months. The TDU shall send corresponding back-billing transactions concurrently with the transaction for meter repair and restoration charges. (5) The TDU shall investigate, and remedy if necessary, all instances of meter tampering reported under this section within ten business days from the date the tampering was reported to the TDU. (6) The TDU may not invoice the current REP for any back-billed TDU charges related to meter tampering or for any meter repair and restoration charges, until the TDU has placed a switch-hold on the affected ESI pursuant to subsection (g) of this section and collected and prepared the following information in support of a determination of meter tampering. The TDU shall make the information specified in this paragraph electronically and readily available to the REP of record through a secure method, without requiring the REP of record to first request the information. The TDU shall also provide the affected customer this information within five business days of the customer's request. The TDU shall provide reasonable and timely access to the physical items specified in subparagraph (D) of this paragraph to any requesting REP of record or customer. (A) Photographs of the premises including a general photograph of the residence/business (showing address number if available), a wide shot photograph of the meter against the wall or where attached to the premises, and close-ups of the meter and/or diversion evidence (prior to removing the meter cover if the tampering is obvious and after removing the meter cover if the damage is inside the meter), and any other relevant evidence that can be photographed; (B) A detailed description of the detection and investigation methodology employed by the TDU; (C) Documentation of the methodology or rationale used by the TDU to determine the date or approximate date upon which the meter ceased accurately registering consumption at the premises and the detailed calculation and methodology for estimating consumption subject to back-billing, and the methodology used to calculate the back-billing; (D) The affected meter and other metering equipment that the TDU may need to remove from the premises because the tampering involved an unauthorized alteration, manipulation, change or modification of that equipment, and any available object used for meter tampering; (E) Any other reliable and credible information that supports its conclusion that the meter was tampered with, while maintaining confidentiality of anonymous tips provided to the TDU; and (F) A sworn affidavit from an employee or other representative of the TDU attesting to the veracity of the information. (7) The information specified in paragraph (6) of this subsection shall be retained by the TDU for 24 months from the date the TDU invoices the REP pursuant to paragraph (6) of this subsection and, if a legal proceeding is initiated during those 24 months, the information shall be retained by the TDU until the final resolution of that proceeding, or 24 months, whichever is later. (e) Notification of meter tampering. The TDU shall notify the REP within one business day, upon a determination that meter tampering has occurred through a standard market process. The TDU shall also notify the customer within two business days of the determination of meter tampering. (1) The notice to the customer shall be either provided to the customer in the form of a door hanger, or mailed to the premises address assigned to the ESI ID or an address provided by the REP if there is no valid postal premises address assigned to the ESI ID. (2) The notice shall include the following information in the same format as follows: Attached Graphic (f) Burden of Proof. If a retail customer challenges the TDU's determination of meter tampering, or the imposition of charges based on any such determination, in a contested case proceeding before the commission, the TDU shall bear the burden of proof that meter tampering occurred. Cont'd... |
