Washington Administrative Code › Title 480 - Utilities and Transportation Commission › Chapter 480-90 - Gas companies-Operations › Part II - CONSUMER RULES › Section 480-90-183 - Complaint meter tests

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) A gas
				utility must test and report to the customer the accuracy of a meter within
				twenty business days after receiving an initial request from a customer. The
				utility must allow the customer to order one meter test free of charge during a
				twelve-month period. The utility may appeal to the commission to waive the
				responsibility of performing the meter test, to request an extension to perform
				the meter test, or to be allowed to charge for the meter test. If the customer
				disputes the accuracy of the meter, the customer must allow the utility access
				for meter testing.
(2) The customer
				may, at the customer's option, either witness the meter test or designate a
				representative to witness the test. The customer may require the meter to be
				sealed upon removal in the presence of the customer or the customer's
				representative. The seal must not be broken until the test is made in the
				presence of the customer or the customer's representative, or until permission
				to break the seal has been granted by the commission. The utility must report
				the results of the meter test to the customer.
(3) A customer may request the utility to
				perform additional meter tests within twelve months of the last meter test, but
				additional meter tests will not delay disconnection of service under of WAC
				480-90-128(9),
				Disconnection of service. The utility must immediately inform the customer of
				any additional meter test charges. If the customer elects to have the meter
				test performed, the utility must perform the test and report the test results
				to the customer within twenty business days. If the additional meter test
				results show the meter is performing accurately as defined in WAC
				480-90-338, Metering tolerance,
				the utility may charge the customer for performing the additional meter tests.
				The charge of the meter test must be listed in the utility's tariff. The
				utility may not charge the customer for any additional meter test that shows
				the meter is performing outside acceptable tolerance levels as defined in WAC
				480-90-338, Metering
				tolerance.
(4) If the customer
				disputes any meter test result, the utility or the customer may contact the
				commission to review the complaint. When the commission has notified the
				utility that a complaint has been received regarding the customer's meter, the
				utility may not change the meter in any manner unless authorized by the
				commission. If the utility violates this provision, the commission may consider
				it as supporting the customer's dispute since the change might affect the proof
				of the dispute. The commission may require the utility to perform an additional
				test and report the test results to the commission within ten business
				days.
(5) If a meter test reveals a
				meter error greater than specified as acceptable in WAC
				480-90-338, Metering tolerance,
				the utility must repair or replace the meter at no cost to the customer. The
				utility must adjust the bills to the customer based on the best information
				available to determine the appropriate charges. The utility must offer payment
				arrangements in accordance with WAC
				480-90-138(2),
				Payment arrangements.
(a) If the utility can
				identify the date the customer was first billed from a defective meter, the
				utility must refund or bill the customer for the proper usage from that
				date;
(b) If the utility cannot
				identify the date the customer was first billed from a defective meter, the
				utility must refund or bill the customer for the proper usage, not to exceed
				six months.