(1)
Disposition of gas. The
meter and any service line pressure regulator shall be owned by the utility.
The utility shall place a visible seal on all meters and service line
regulators in customer use, such that the seal must be broken to gain entry.
a. All gas sold by a utility shall be on the
basis of meter measurement except:
(1) Where
the consumption of gas may be readily computed without metering; or
(2) For temporary service
installations.
b. The
amount of all gas delivered to multioccupancy premises within a single
building, where units are separately rented or owned, shall be measured on the
basis of individual meter measurement for each unit, except in the following
instances:
(1) Where gas is used in
centralized heating, cooling or water-heating systems;
(2) Where a facility is designated for
elderly or handicapped persons;
(3)
Where submetering or resale of service was permitted prior to 1966;
or
(4) Where individual metering is
impractical. "Impractical" means:
(1) where
conditions or structural barriers exist in the multioccupancy building that
would make individual meters unsafe or physically impossible to install;
(2) where the cost of providing
individual metering exceeds the long-term benefits of individual metering; or
(3) where the benefits of
individual metering (reduced and controlled energy consumption) are more
effectively accomplished through a master meter arrangement.
If a multioccupancy building is master-metered, the end user
occupants may be charged for natural gas as an unidentified portion of the
rent, condominium fee, or similar payment, or, if some other method of
allocating the cost of the gas service is used, the total charge for gas
service shall not exceed the total gas bill charged by the utility for the same
period.
c. Master metering to multiple buildings is
prohibited, except for multiple buildings owned by the same person or entity.
Multioccupancy premises within a multiple building complex may be
master-metered pursuant to this paragraph only if the requirements of paragraph
19.3(1) "b" have been met.
d. For purposes of this subrule, a "master
meter" means a single meter used in determining the amount of natural gas
provided to a multioccupancy building or multiple buildings.
e. This rule shall not be construed to
prohibit any utility from requiring more extensive individual metering than
otherwise required by this rule if required pursuant to tariffs approved by the
board.
f. All gas consumed by the
utility shall be on the basis of meter measurement except where consumption may
be readily computed without metering or where metering is impractical.
(2)
Condition
of meter. RescindedlAB 11/12/03, effective 12/17/03. See199 lAC
19.6(7).
(3)
Meter reading
records. The meter reading records shall show:
a. Customer's name, address, rate schedule,
or identification of rate schedule.
b. Identifying number or description of the
meter(s).
c. Meter
readings.
d. If the reading has
been estimated.
e. Any applicable
multiplier or constant, or reference thereto.
(4)Meter charts.
RescindedlAB 11/8/17, effective 12/13/17.
(5)
Meter register If it is
necessary to apply a multiplier to the meter readings, the multiplier must be
marked on the face of the meter register or stenciled in weather-resistant
paint upon the front cover of the meter Customers shall have continuous visual
access to meter registers as a means of verifying the accuracy of bills
presented to them and for implementing such energy conservation initiatives as
they desire, except in the individual locations where the utility has
experienced vandalism to windows in the protective enclosures. Where remote
meter reading is used, whether outdoor on premises or off-premises-automated,
the customers shall have a readable meter register at the meter as a means of
verifying the accuracy of bills presented to them. A utility may comply with
the requirements of this subrule by making the required information available
via the Internet or other equivalent means.
In instances when a building owner has determined that
unrestricted access to tenant metering installation would create a vandalism or
safety hazard, the utility is exempted from the access provision above.
Continuing efforts should be made to eliminate or minimize
the number of restricted locations. The utility should assist affected
customers in obtaining meter register information.
(6)
Prepayment meters.
Prepayment meters shall not be geared or set so as to result in the charge of a
rate or amount higher than would be paid if a standard type meter were used,
except under tariffs approved by the board.
(7)
Meter reading and hilling
interval. Readings of all meters used for determining charges and
billings to customers shall be scheduled at least monthly and for the beginning
and termination of service. Bills to larger customers may, for good cause, be
provided weekly or daily for a period not to exceed one month. Intervals other
than monthly shall not be applied to smaller customers, or to larger customers
after the initial month provided above, without a waiver from the board. A
waiver request must include the information required by
199-1.3 (17A,474,476). If
the board denies a waiver, or if a waiver is not sought with respect to a large
volume customer after the initial month, that customer's bill shall be provided
monthly for the next 12 months, unless prior approval is received from the
board for a shorter interval. The group of larger customers to which shorter
billing intervals may be applied shall be specified in the utility's tariff
sheets, but shall not include residential customers.
An effort shall be made to obtain readings of the meters on
corresponding days of each meter reading period. The utility rules may permit
the customer to supply the meter readings by telephone, by electronic means, or
on a form supplied by the utility. The utility may arrange for customer meter
reading forms to be delivered to the utility by United States mail,
electronically, or by hand delivery. The utility may arrange for the meter to
be read by electronic means. Unless the utility has a plan to test check meter
readings, a utility representative shall physically read the meter at least
once each 12 months and when the utility is notified there is a change of
customer
(8)
Readings and estimates. When a customer is connected or
disconnected or the meter reading date causes a given billing period to deviate
by more than 10 percent (counting only business days) from the normal meter
reading period, such bill shall be prorated on a daily basis.
When access to meters cannot be gained, the utility may leave
with the customer a meter reading form. The customer may provide the meter
reading by telephone, electronic mail (if it is allowed by the utility), or by
mail. If the meter reading information is not returned in time for the billing
operation, an estimated bill may be provided. If an actual meter reading cannot
be obtained, the utility may provide an estimated bill without reading the
meter or supplying a meter reading form to the customer Only in unusual cases
or when approval is obtained from the customer shall more than three
consecutive estimated bills be provided.
The utility shall incorporate normalized weather data in its
calculation of an estimated bill.
Utilities shall file with the board their procedures for
calculating estimated bills, including their procedures for determining the
reasonable degree-day data to use in the calculations. Utilities shall inform
the board when changes are made to the procedures for calculating estimated
bills.
(9)
Temporary service. RescindedlAB 11/8/17, effective
12/13/17.
(10)
Plant
additions, distribution main extensions, and service lines.
a.
Definitions. The
following definitions shall apply to the terms as used in this subrule.
"Advance for construction, " as used in this
subrule, means cash payments or equivalent surety made to the utility by an
applicant for an extensive plant addition or a distribution main extension,
portions of which may be refunded depending on any subsequent service line
attached to the extensive plant addition or distribution main extension. Cash
payments or equivalent surety shall include a grossed-up amount for the income
tax effect of such revenue. The amount of tax shall be reduced by the present
value of the tax benefits to be obtained by depreciating the property in
determining the tax liability.
"Agreed-upon attachment period, " as used in
this subrule, means aperiod of not less than 30 days nor more than one year
mutually agreed upon by the utility and the applicant within which the customer
will attach. If no time period is mutually agreed upon, the agreed-upon
attachment period shall be deemed to be 30 days.
"Contribution in aid of construction, " as
used in this subrule, means a nonrefundable cash payment grossed-up for the
income tax effect of such revenue covering the costs of a service line that are
in excess of costs paid by the utility. The amount of tax shall be reduced by
the present value of the tax benefits to be obtained by depreciating the
property in determining the tax liability.
"Distribution main extension," as used in
this subrule, means a segment of pipeline installed to convey gas to individual
service lines or other distribution mains.
"Estimated annual revenues, " as used in
this subrule, shall be calculated based upon the following factors, including,
but not limited to: The size of the facility to be used by the customer, the
size and type of equipment to be used by the customer, the average annual
amount of service required by the equipment, and the average number of hours
per day and days per year the equipment will be in use.
"Estimated base revenues, " as used in this
subrule, shall be calculated by subtracting the cost of purchased gas and
energy efficiency charges from estimated annual revenues.
"Estimated construction costs, " as used in
this subrule, shall be calculated using average current costs in accordance
with good engineering practices and upon the following factors: amount of
service required or desired by the customer requesting the distribution main
extension or service line; size, location, and characteristics of the
distribution main extension or service line, including appurtenances; and
whether the ground is frozen or whether other adverse conditions exist. In no
event shall estimated construction costs include costs associated with
facilities built for the convenience of the utility. The customer shall be
charged actual permit fees in addition to estimated construction costs. Permit
fees are to be paid regardless of whether the customer is required to pay an
advance for construction or a nonrefundable contribution in aid of
construction, and the cost of any permit fee is not refundable.
"Plant addition, " as used in this subrule,
means any additional plant, other than a distribution main or service line,
required to be constructed to provide service to a customer
"Service line, " as used in this subrule,
means the piping that extends from the distribution main to the meter set
riser.
"Similarly situated customer, " as used in
this subrule, means a customer whose annual consumption or service
requirements, as defined by estimated annual revenue, are approximately the
same as the annual consumption or service requirements of other
customers.
"Utility, " as used in this subrule, means a
rate-regulated utility.
b.
Plant additions. The utility shall provide all gas plant at
its cost and expense without requiring an advance for construction from
customers or developers except in those unusual circumstances where extensive
plant additions are required before the customer can be served. A written
contract between the utility and the customer which requires an advance for
construction by the customer to make plant additions shall be available for
board inspection.
c.
Distribution main extensions. Where the customer will attach
to the distribution main extension within the agreed-upon attachment period
after completion of the distribution main extension, the following shall apply:
(1) The utility shall finance and make the
distribution main extension for a customer without requiring an advance for
construction if the estimated construction costs to provide a distribution main
extension are less than or equal to three times estimated base revenue
calculated on the basis of similarly situated customers. The utility may use a
feasibility model, rather than three times estimated base revenue, to determine
what, if any, advance for construction is required of the customer. The utility
shall file a summary explaining the inputs into the feasibility model and a
description of the model as part of the utility's tariff. Whether or not the
construction of the distribution main extension would otherwise require a
payment from a customer, the utility shall charge the customer for actual
permit fees, and the permit fees are not refundable.
(2) If the estimated construction cost to
provide a distribution main extension is greater than three times estimated
base revenue calculated on the basis of similarly situated customers, the
applicant for a distribution main extension shall contract with the utility and
make, no more than 30 days prior to commencement of construction, an advance
for construction equal to the estimated construction cost less three times
estimated base revenue to be produced by the customer The utility may use a
feasibility model to determine whether an advance for construction is required.
The utility shall file a summary explaining the inputs into the feasibility
model and a description of the model as part of the utility's tariff. A written
contract between the utility and the customer shall be available for board
inspection upon request. Whether or not the construction of the distribution
main extension would otherwise require a payment from the customer, the utility
shall charge the customer for actual permit fees, and the permit fees are not
refundable.
(3) Where the customer
will not attach within the agreed-upon attachment period after completion of
the distribution main extension, the applicant for the distribution main
extension shall contract with the utility and make, no more than 30 days prior
to the commencement of construction, an advance for construction equal to the
estimated construction cost. The utility may use a feasibility model to
determine the amount of the advance for construction. The utility shall file a
summary explaining the inputs into the feasibility model and a description of
the model as part of the utility's tariff. A written contract between the
utility and the customer shall be available for board inspection upon request.
Whether or not the construction of the distribution main extension would
otherwise require a payment from the customer, the utility shall charge the
customer for actual permit fees, and the permit fees are not
refundable.
(4) Advances for
construction may be paid by cash or equivalent surety and shall be refundable
for ten years. The customer has the option of providing an advance for
construction by cash or equivalent surety unless the utility determines that
the customer has failed to comply with the conditions of a surety in the
past.
(5) Refunds. When the
customer is required to make an advance for construction, the utility shall
refund to the depositor for a period often years from the date of the original
advance a pro-rata share for each service line attached to the distribution
main extension. The pro-rata refund shall be computed in the following manner:
1. If the combined total of three times
estimated base revenue, or the amount allowed by the feasibility model, for the
distribution main extension and each service line attached to the distribution
main extension exceeds the total estimated construction cost to provide the
distribution main extension, the entire amount of the advance for construction
shall be refunded.
2. If the
combined total of three times estimated base revenue, or the amount allowed by
the feasibility model, for the distribution main extension and each service
line attached to the distribution main extension is less than the total
estimated construction cost to provide the distribution main extension, the
amount to be refunded shall equal three times estimated base revenue, or the
amount allowed by the feasibility model, when a service line is attached to the
distribution main extension.
3. In
no event shall the total amount to be refunded exceed the amount of the advance
for construction. Any amounts subject to refund shall be paid by the utility
without interest. At the expiration of the above-described ten-year period, the
advance for construction record shall be closed and the remaining balance shall
be credited to the respective plant account.
(6) The utility shall keep a record of each
work order under which the distribution main extension was installed, to
include the estimated revenues, the estimated construction costs, the amount of
any payment received, and any refunds paid.
d.
Service lines.
(1) The utility shall finance and construct a
service line without requiring a nonrefundable contribution in aid of
construction or any payment by the applicant where the length of the service
line to the riser is up to 50 feet on private property or 100 feet on private
property if polyethylene plastic pipe is used.
(2) Where the length of the service line
exceeds 50 feet on private property or 100 feet if polyethylene plastic pipe is
used, the applicant shall be required to provide a nonrefundable contribution
in aid of construction, within 30 days after completion, for that portion of
the service line on private property, exclusive of the riser, in excess of 50
feet or in excess of 100 feet if polyethylene plastic pipe is used. The
nonrefundable contribution in aid of construction for that portion of the
service line shall be computed as follows:
(Estimated Construction Costs) x
(Total Length in Excess of 50 Feet) or (Total Length in
Excess of 100 Feet) / (Total Length of Service Line)
(3) A utility may adopt a tariff or rule that
allows the utility to finance and construct a service line of more than 50
feet, or 100 feet if polyethylene plastic pipe is used, without requiring a
nonrefundable contribution in aid of construction from the customer if the
tariff or rule applies equally to all customers.
(4) Whether or not the construction of the
service line would otherwise require a payment from the customer, the utility
shall charge the customer for actual permit fees.
e.
Extensions not required.
Utilities shall not be required to make distribution main extensions or attach
service lines as described in this subrule, unless the distribution main
extension or service line shall be of a permanent nature. When the utility
provides a temporary service to a customer, the utility may require that the
customer bear all of the cost of installing and removing the service in excess
of any salvage realized.
f.
Different payment arrangement. This subrule shall not be
construed as prohibiting any utility from making a contract with a customer
using a different payment arrangement, if the contract provides a more
favorable payment arrangement to the customer, so long as no discrimination is
practiced among similarly situated customers.
g.
Areas without service or with
constrained service.
(1) A utility
may finance and expand natural gas service into an area of the state with no
natural gas service or where capacity constraints limit the expansion of
service. A utility expanding service under this paragraph may do so without
requiring an advance for construction from a customer or group of customers if
a standard feasibility model approved by the board shows the expansion is
economically justified over a period not to exceed 20 years. The approved model
will be adopted following a board proceeding in which interested parties will
have the opportunity to review and comment on a model jointly proposed by the
regulated gas utilities. The approved model will be made available on the
board's Web site. The utility shall charge the customer or customers for actual
permit fees, and the permit fees are not refundable.
(2) If the feasibility model does not show
the expansion is economically justified without an advance for construction, a
customer or group of customers may contract with the utility and make, no more
than 30 days prior to commencement of construction, an advance for construction
in an amount that would make the expansion economically justified.
(3) Upon making a determination that it
intends to move forward with an expansion pursuant to this paragraph, the
utility shall notify the board by filing the inputs and results of the
feasibility model and any associated contract or contracts with the board. The
utility shall maintain separate books and records for any expansion made
pursuant to this paragraph unit the utility's next general rate case
proceeding.
(11)Cooperation and advance
notice. In order that full benefit may be derived from this chapter
and in order to facilitate its proper application, all utilities shall observe
the following cooperative practices:
a. Every
utility shall give to other public utilities in the same general territory
advance notice of any construction or change in construction or in operating
conditions of its facilities concerned or likely to be concerned in situations
of proximity, provided, however, that the requirements of this chapter shall
not apply to routine extensions or minor changes in the local underground
distribution facilities.
b. Every
utility shall assist in promoting conformity with this chapter An arrangement
should be set up among all utilities whose facilities may occupy the same
general territory, providing for the interchange of pertinent data and
information including that relative to proposed and existing construction and
changes in operating conditions concerned or likely to be concerned in
situations of proximity.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section
476.8.