(1)
Disposition of electricity. The meter and associated
instrument transformers shall be owned by the utility. The wiring between the
instrument transformers and the meter shall be owned or controlled by the
utility. The utility shall place a visible seal on all meters in customer use,
such that the seal must be broken to gain entry.
a. All electricity sold by a utility shall be
on the basis of meter measurement except:
(1)
Where the consumption of electricity may be readily computed without metering;
or
(2) For temporary service
installations not otherwise metered.
b. The amount of all electricity 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 electricity is used in centralized
heating, cooling, water-heating, or ventilation systems;
(2) Where a facility is designated for
elderly or handicapped persons;
(3)
Where submetering or resale of service was permitted prior to 1966;
(4) Where individual metering is impractical.
"Impractical" means:
1. Conditions or
structural barriers exist in the multioccupancy building that would make
individual meters unsafe or physically impossible to install; or
2. The cost of providing individual metering
exceeds the long-term benefits of individual metering; or
(5) Where the benefits of individual metering
(reduced and controlled energy consumption) are more effectively accomplished
through a master meter arrangement.
1. A new
multioccupancy building qualifies for master metering under this subparagraph
if the predicted annual energy use would result in at least a 30 percent energy
savings compared to the predicted annual energy use of a new building meeting
the requirements of the State of Iowa Energy Code and operating with equipment,
fixtures, and appliances meeting federal energy standards for manufactured
devices for a new building.
2. An
existing multioccupancy building qualifies for master metering under this
subparagraph when the predicted annual energy use would result in at least a 20
percent energy savings compared to the building's current annual energy usage
levels.
3. Credits for on-site
renewable energy generation shall not be taken into account when determining
the predicted energy savings.
4. A
report from a qualified, independent third party stating that the proposed
building or renovation will meet the energy savings requirements of this
subparagraph shall establish a rebuttable presumption of eligibility for master
metering. "Qualified, independent third party" means a licensed architect or
engineer, a certified residential energy services network home energy rating
system (RESNET HERS) rater, or any other professional deemed qualified by the
board.
If a multioccupancy building is master-metered, the end-user
occupants may be charged for electricity as an unidentified portion of the
rent, condominium fee, or similar payment, or, if some other method of
allocating the cost of the electric service is used, the total charge for
electric service shall not exceed the total electric 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
20.3(1)"b" have been met.
d. For purposes of this subrule, a "master
meter" means a single meter used in determining the amount of electricity
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 pursuant to tariffs filed with and approved
by the board.
f. All electricity
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. Rescinded IAB 11/12/03, effective
12/17/03.
(3)
Meter reading
records. The meter reading records shall show:
a. Customer's name, address, and rate
schedule or identification of rate schedule.
b. Identification of the meter or meters
either by permanently marked utility number or by manufacturer's name, type
number and serial number.
c. Meter
readings.
d. If the reading has
been estimated.
e. Any applicable
multiplier or constant.
(4)
Meter charts. Rescinded
IAB 12/5/18, effective 1/9/19.
(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 customer shall also have readable meter
registers at the meter. A utility may comply with the requirements of this
subrule by making the required information available via the Internet or other
equivalent means.
Where a delayed processing means is used, the utility may
comply by having readable kWh registers only, visually accessible.
In instances in which the utility has determined that
readable access, to locations existing July 1, 1981, will create a safety
hazard, the utility is exempted from the access provisions above.
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)
Meter reading and billing
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 sufficient information to comply with
199-1.3(17A,474,476). If the board denies a waiver, or if a waiver is not
sought with respect to a high-demand customer after the initial month, that
customer's meter shall be read monthly for the next 12 months. 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. When 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 bills shall be
prorated on a daily basis.
The utility 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.
In the event that the utility leaves a meter reading form
with the customer when access to meters cannot be gained and the form 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.
(7)
Demand meter registration. When a demand meter is used for
billing, the meter installation should be designed so that the highest expected
annual demand reading to be used for billing will appear in the upper half of
the meter's range.
(8)
Service areas. Service areas are defined by the boundaries on
service area maps. Electronic maps are available for viewing during regular
business hours at the board's offices. Maps are also available for viewing on
the board's website.
(9)
Modification of service area and answers.
a. An exclusive service area is subject to
modification through a contested case proceeding which may be commenced by
filing a petition for modification of service area with the board. The board
may commence a service area modification proceeding on its own motion. The
board may grant a modification if the modification promotes the public
interest. In determining whether the modification is in the public interest,
the board will consider the factors described in Iowa Code section
476.25(1)
and any other relevant factors.
b. An electric utility may file a petition
for modification of service area, which shall contain (1) a legal description
of the service area desired, (2) a designation of the utilities involved in
each boundary section, (3) a justification for the proposed service area
modification, and (4) in addition to the PDF (Portable Document Format)
required in 199-subrule 14.8(1), an electronic file of the proposed service
area boundaries, in a format designated by the board, as described on the
electronic filing system (EFS) homepage under EFS Filing Standards. The
justification shall include a detailed statement of why the proposed
modification is in the public interest. A map showing the affected areas which
complies with paragraph 20.3(11)"a" shall be attached to the
petition as an exhibit.
c. Filing
of the petition with the board, and service to other parties, shall be in
accordance with 199-Chapter 14.
d.
An answer to a petition for a service area modification shall comply with
199-subrule 7.9(2).
e. Electric
utilities may agree to service area modifications by contract pursuant to Iowa
Code section
476.25(2).
Contracts to be enforceable require board approval. The board shall approve a
contract if the board finds that the contract will eliminate or avoid
unnecessary duplication of facilities, will provide adequate electric service
to all areas and customers affected, will promote the efficient and economical
use and development of the electric systems of the contracting utilities, and
is in the public interest.
(10)
Certificate of
authority. Any electric utility or municipal corporation requesting a
service territory modification pursuant to subrule 20.3(9) which would result
in service to a customer by a utility other than the utility currently serving
the customer must also petition the board for a certificate of authority under
Iowa Code section
476.23.
The electric utility or municipal corporation shall pay the party currently
serving the customer a reasonable price for the facilities serving the
customer.
(11)
Maps.
a. Each utility shall
maintain a current map or set of maps showing the physical location of electric
lines, stations, and electric transmission facilities for its service areas.
The maps shall include the exact location of the following:
(1) Generating stations with capacity
designation.
(2) Purchased power
supply points with maximum contracted capacity designation.
(3) Purchased power metering points if
located at other than power delivery points.
(4) Transmission lines with size and type of
conductor designation and operating voltage designation.
(5) Transmission-to-transmission voltage
transformation substations with transformer voltage and capacity
designation.
(6)
Transmission-to-distribution voltage transformation substations with
transformer voltage and capacity designation.
(7) Distribution lines with size and type of
conductor designation, phase designation and voltage designation.
(8) All points at which transmission,
distribution or secondary lines of the utility cross Iowa state
boundaries.
(9) All current
information required in Iowa Code section
476.24(1).
(10) All county boundaries and county
names.
(11) Natural and artificial
lakes which cover more than 50 acres and all rivers.
(12) Any additional information required by
the board.
b. All maps,
except those deemed confidential by the board, shall be available for
examination at the utility's designated offices during the utility's regular
office hours. The maps shall be drawn with clean, uniform lines to a scale of
one inch per mile. A large scale shall be used where it is necessary to clarify
areas where there is a heavy concentration of facilities. All cartographic
details shall be clean cut, and the background shall contain little or no
coloration or shading.
(12)
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.
(13)
Plant additions, electrical line
extensions and service lines.
a.
Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to the
terms 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 an electrical line extension,
portions of which may be refunded depending on the attachment of any subsequent
service line made to the extensive plant addition or electrical line 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 tax liability.
"Agreed-upon attachment period," as used in
this subrule, means a period 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.
"Electrical line extensions" means
distribution line extensions and secondary line extensions as defined in
subrule 20.1(3), except for service lines as defined in this subrule.
"Equivalent overhead transformer cost," as
used in this subrule, is that transformer capitalized cost, or fraction
thereof, that would be required for similarly situated customers served by a
pole-mounted or platform-mounted transformer(s). For each overhead service, it
shall be the capitalized cost of the transformer(s) divided by the number of
customers served by that transformer(s). For each underground service, it shall
be the capitalized cost of an overhead transformer(s) with the same voltage and
volt-ampere rating divided by the number of customers served by that
transformer(s).
"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 fuel expense costs as described
in the uniform system of accounts as adopted by the board and energy efficiency
charges from the 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 electrical line
extension or service line; size, location, and characteristics of the
electrical line extension or service line, including appurtenances, except
equivalent overhead transformer cost; 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 required to be constructed to provide service to a
customer other than an electrical line extension or service line.
"Point of attachment" is that point of first
physical attachment of the utilities' service drop (overhead) or service
lateral (underground) conductors to the customer's service entrance conductors.
For overhead services it shall be the point of tap or splice to the service
entrance conductors. For underground services it shall be the point of tap or
splice to the service entrance conductors in a terminal box or meter or other
enclosure with adequate space inside or outside the building wall. If there is
no terminal box, meter, or other enclosure with adequate space, it shall be the
point of entrance into the building.
"Service line," as used in this subrule,
means any secondary line extension, as defined in subrule 20.1(3), on private
property serving a single customer or point of attachment of electric
service.
"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 electric 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.
Electrical line extensions. Where the customer will attach to the
electrical line extension within the agreed-upon attachment period after
completion of the electrical line extension, the following shall apply:
(1) The utility shall finance and make the
electrical line extension for a customer without requiring an advance for
construction if the estimated construction costs to provide an electrical line
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 by 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 electrical line 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.
(2) If the estimated construction cost to
provide an electrical line extension is greater than three times estimated base
revenue calculated on the basis of similarly situated customers, the applicant
for the electrical line 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 electrical line
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 electrical line extension, the applicant for the electrical line 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 electrical line 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 of ten years from the date of the original
advance a pro-rata share for each service line attached to the electrical line
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
electrical line extension and each service line attached to the electrical line
extension exceeds the total estimated construction cost to provide the
electrical line extension, the entire amount of the advance for construction
provided shall be refunded.
2. If
the combined total of three times estimated base revenue, or the amount allowed
by the feasibility model, for the electrical line extension and each service
line attached to the electrical line extension is less than the total estimated
construction cost to provide the electrical line 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 electrical
line 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 electrical line 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
either an overhead or underground service line without requiring a
nonrefundable contribution in aid of construction or any payment by the
applicant where the length of the overhead service line to the first point of
attachment is up to 50 feet on private property or where the cost of the
underground service line to the meter or service disconnect is less than or
equal to the estimated cost of constructing an equivalent overhead service line
of up to 50 feet.
(2) Where the
length of the overhead service line exceeds 50 feet on private property, the
applicant shall be required to provide a nonrefundable contribution in aid of
construction for that portion of the service line on private property,
exclusive of the point of attachment, within 30 days after completion. The
nonrefundable contribution in aid of construction for that portion of the
service line shall be computed as follows:
(Estimated Construction Costs) x
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(3) Where the cost of the underground service
line exceeds the estimated cost of constructing an equivalent overhead service
line of up to 50 feet, the applicant shall be required to provide a
nonrefundable contribution in aid of construction within 30 days after
completion equal to the difference between the estimated cost of constructing
the underground service line and the estimated cost of constructing an
equivalent overhead service line of up to 50 feet.
(4) A utility may adopt a tariff or rule that
allows the utility to finance and construct a service line of more than 50 feet
without requiring a nonrefundable contribution in aid of construction from the
customer if the tariff or rule applies equally to all customers or
members.
(5) 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 electrical line extensions or install service lines as described in this
subrule, unless the electrical line 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 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 customers.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section
476.8.
