Section 69-09-01-21 - Billing basis1. Bills for service will be rendered monthly unless service rendered covers a period less than a calendar month, or the customer requests and the utility consents to a more frequent billing. The term "month" for billing purposes will mean the period between any two consecutive readings of the meter by the utility, such readings to be taken as nearly as practicable every thirty days. No customer will be billed more than twelve times a year unless the rate applicable to the particular case specifically provides for exceptions to the monthly basis, or unless a more frequent billing has been agreed upon as specified in this subsection. This will not prohibit the utility from accepting periodic payments during the month. 2. The difference between the gross and net bills constitutes a discount for prompt payment. All customers will be billed each month at gross rates except where schedules provide otherwise. Discounts will be applicable in accordance with the terms of the rate schedule. 3. When one or more consecutive meter readings are missed, the utility may bill the customer on an estimated consumption and the difference adjusted when the meter is again read. The basis for this estimate shall be the normal consumption for corresponding periods in the preceding year or normal consumptions of preceding months. At the first reading subsequent to the nonreading the bill will be computed by multiplying blocks of the rate by the number of months for which the meter reading covers, then compute the bill in accordance with the applicable rate adjusted in accordance with the foregoing provisions. Any minimum bills paid in the period for which the meter reading covers shall be credited to the total amount of the bill. 4. When a meter is overread by an amount that exceeds the following month's consumption, the correct consumption shall be ascertained for the two months, and the bill computed according to the provisions of subsection 3. 5. The utility shall provide each customer with proper metering equipment to indicate the correct reading to constitute a basis for monthly charges for service in accordance with the applicable rate schedule. 6. A customer may not have the customer's meter readings of more than one meter cumulative except where the utility has for its own convenience installed more than one meter for one class of service, and in such case the meter readings will be cumulated when billed. 7. Each customer will be billed separately on the customer's individual meter reading at the rate applicable to the particular class of service. 8. A customer is defined to include any person, firm, or corporation receiving service of one or more classes, and metered by one or more meters. General Authority: NDCC 49-02-11
Law Implemented: NDCC 49-02-11
N.D. Admin Code 69-09-01-21