Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 165 - Corporation Commission › Chapter 45 - Gas Service Utilities › Subchapter 5 - Meters and Regulators › Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 165:45-5-3 - Information as to reading of meters

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
(a)
Means of informing consumers
				  concerning the method of reading meters.
Each utility supplying metered
				  service shall adopt a means of informing its consumers as to its method of
				  reading meters, either by printing on its bills a description of the method of
				  reading meters, by distributing booklets or folders describing the method, or
				  by notice to the effect that the method will be explained at the office of the
				  utility upon application for service.
(b)
Clarification of method by which
				  quantity is determined.
Each service meter shall indicate clearly the
				  number of cubic feet of gas registered by the meter. Where gas is measured
				  under high pressure or where the quantity is determined by calculation from
				  recording devices, the utility, upon request, shall supply the consumer with
				  sufficient information clarifying the method by which the quantity is
				  determined.
(c)
Meter reading
				  information.
Each service meter shall be read by the utility or their
				  designated representative at monthly intervals at least ten (10) times a year,
				  on approximately the same day of each meter reading period. If it is necessary
				  for the utility to estimate more than two (2) bills per year due to actions of
				  the consumer regarding meter accessibility, and where the inaccessibility is
				  beyond the control of the utility, it will be permissible for the utility to
				  submit an estimated bill based upon consumer reading or past service records,
				  and the amount of such estimated bill shall to be adjusted as necessary when
				  the next actual reading is obtained.
(d)
Meters read by consumers.
For each utility which permits its consumers to regularly read their own
				  meters, the procedure for meter reading by the consumer shall provide for meter
				  reading at monthly intervals. The utility shall verify such readings not less
				  than once every six (6) months; however, a utility which has a residential rate
				  schedule which does not have seasonal variations shall verify such readings not
				  less than once a year. The utility shall file its proposed plan for
				  implementing this subsection for approval by the Commission. Upon approval,
				  said plan will become part of the utility's terms and conditions of service.
				  When the consumer fails to furnish meter readings, the utility may submit an
				  estimated bill based on the consumer's previous two (2) months average usage
				  and other available information or based on previous usage adjusted for weather
				  or other comparative data. The amount of such estimated bill will be adjusted
				  as necessary when the next actual reading is obtained.
(e)
Authorization of meter
				  reading.
Upon application of the utility and after notice and hearing,
				  the Commission may authorize the reading of meters less frequently than
				  required by this Section and prescribe conditions and procedures therefore.
				  However, a utility is not prohibited from reading meters more frequently than
				  required by this Section.
(f)
Utility records.
The utility records shall show the following:
(1) Consumer's name, address and rate
				  schedule symbol;
(2) Identifying
				  number and type of the meter;
(3)
				  Meter reading and dates thereof;
(4) Whether the reading has been estimated;
				  and,
(5) Any applicable multiplier
				  or constant.