Okla. Admin. Code § 165:45-5-2

Current through Vol. 42, No. 7, December 16, 2024

Section 165:45-5-2 - Adjustment of bills for meter error

(a)Fast meters. Whenever any meter tested by PUD or the utility is found to have an average error of more than two percent (2%) fast (or in favor of the utility), the utility shall refund to the consumer the overcharge based upon the corrected meter reading for a period equal to one-half (1/2) of the time elapsed since the last test, but not to exceed six (6) months unless it can be established that the error was due to some cause, the date of which can be fixed with reasonable certainty, or the error was due to meter tampering or theft, in which case the charge shall be computed from that date.

(b)Slow meters. Whenever any meter tested by PUD or the utility is found to have an average error of more than two percent (2%) slow (or in favor of the consumer), the utility may charge for the gas consumed, but not included in bills previously rendered based upon the corrected meter reading for a period equal to one-half (1/2) the time elapsed since the last previous test, but not to exceed six (6) months unless it can be established that the error was due to meter tampering or theft.The utility shall allow the consumer to pay the corrected amount, in installment payments, over the same period of time in which the incorrect billing took place, unless otherwise agreed to by the utility and consumer.

(c)Nonregistering meters. If a meter is found not to register or to register intermittently for any period, the utility may charge for an estimated amount of gas used which shall be calculated by averaging the amounts registered over corresponding periods in previous years or, in the absence of such information, over similar periods preceding or subsequent thereto. The estimated billing shall not exceed six (6) months, unless it can be established that the error was due to meter tampering or theft. The utility shall allow the consumer to pay the estimated billing amount, in installment payments, over six (6) months, unless otherwise agreed to by the utility and consumer.

(d)Incorrect register, regulator, or multiplier on meter. If a meter is found to have an incorrect register, regulator, or multiplier, the error shall be corrected. Where the error is adverse to the consumer, the utility shall refund the excess charged for the amount of gas incorrectly metered over the period of time the meter was used in billing the consumer. Where the error is adverse to the company, the utility may charge the consumer the undercharge for the amount of gas incorrectly metered for the period of time, not to exceed six (6) months, the meter was used in billing the consumer, unless it can be established that the error was due to meter tampering or theft. The utility shall allow the consumer to pay any unbilled amount over the same period of time in which the under-billing took place, but not to exceed six (6) months, unless otherwise agreed to by the utility and consumer.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in (a)-(d) above, any corrections for billing as set forth in said subsections shall not exceed a period of three (3) years from the date of discovery.

(f)Scope. This Section shall not apply to routine testing and replacement of meters pursuant to OAC 165:45-5-13.

Okla. Admin. Code § 165:45-5-2

Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3259, eff 7-25-96

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 36, Issue 21, July 15, 2019, eff. 7/25/2019