3 AAC 52.425 - Meter readings

(a) A utility shall separately bill for each meter at a customer's premises. The readings of two or more meters may not be combined unless otherwise provided for in a utility's effective tariff.

(b) If, for a reason described in 3 AAC 52.435(b) (2) or (b)(3), a utility is unable to read a meter during the scheduled meter reading cycle, the utility shall estimate the consumption for the billing period considering, where applicable, the customer's usage during the same month of the previous year or the amount of usage during the preceding month or months.

(c) After the second consecutive month of estimating a customer's bill, a utility must obtain an accurate reading of the meter unless the meter is inaccessible due to severe weather or other dangerous conditions.

(d) A utility may allow for customer reading of meters, subject to the following criteria:

(1) the utility shall inform the customer how to properly read the meter;

(2) the utility shall require that the customer read the meter on as close to the same day each month as practical;

(3) the utility shall specify the timing requirements for the customer to submit the monthly meter reading to conform with the utility's billing cycle;

(4) the utility shall verify the customer's reading of the meter at least once every six months; and

(5) if the customer fails to submit the meter reading on time, the utility may issue the customer an estimated bill, subject to the provisions of (c) of this section.

Notes

3 AAC 52.425

Eff. 1/1/87, Register 100

Authority:AS 42.05.141

AS 42.05.151

AS 42.05.291