4 CCR 723-3-3305 - Meter Testing Upon Request

(a) If a customer disputes the accuracy of meter or disputes the billing that implicates the accuracy of a meter, the utility furnishing metered electric service shall inform the customer of his rights to have the meter tested as specified in this rule. Within 30 days of a customer's request, the utility shall remove the meter and test the meter's accuracy using standardized testing equipment (commonly referred to as a "shop test") or test the meter's accuracy using standardized testing equipment in the field (commonly referred to as a "field test"). The test shall be conducted free of charge if the meter has not been tested within the previous 12 months; otherwise, the utility may charge a fee for performing the test. The utility shall provide a written report of the test results to the customer and shall maintain the report on file for at least two years. If, upon completion of the shop or field test, the disputed meter is found to be inaccurate beyond the limits prescribed in rule 3302, it shall be deemed out of compliance.

(b) Should a customer request and receive a meter test as prescribed in paragraph 3305(a) and continue to dispute the accuracy of the meter or the billing that implicates the accuracy of the meter, the utility shall inform the customer of his right to request independent testing of the meter. Upon the customer's request, the utility shall make the disputed meter available for independent testing by a qualified meter testing facility of the customer's choosing. The customer is not entitled to take physical possession of the disputed meter. To be a qualified meter testing facility, the testing facility must be capable of testing the meter to meet all meter standards and requirements required by these rules.

(c) If, upon completion of an independent test as prescribed in paragraph 3305(b), the disputed meter is found to be accurate within the limits of rule 3302, the customer shall bear all costs associated with conducting the test. If, upon completion of an independent test as prescribed in paragraph 3305(b), the disputed meter is found to be inaccurate beyond the limits prescribed in rule 3302, the meter shall be deemed out of compliance and the utility shall bear all costs associated with conducting the test.

(d) Each utility shall identify in its tariff the rates, terms, and conditions for all fees associated with customer-requested meter testing conducted within 12 months of a prior test.

(e) If a meter is deemed out of compliance under this rule, the utility shall inform the customer of his right to request a refund pursuant to rule 3402.

Notes

4 CCR 723-3-3305

38 CR 17, September 10, 2015, effective 9/30/2015 39 CR 06, March 25, 2016, effective 4/14/2016 39 CR 08, April 25, 2016, effective 5/15/2016 40 CR 22, November 25, 2017, effective 12/15/2017 42 CR 03, February 10, 2019, effective 3/2/2019 42 CR 07, April 10, 2019, effective 4/30/2019 42 CR 09, May 10, 2019, effective 5/30/2019 43 CR 08, April 25, 2020, effective 5/15/2020 43 CR 12, June 25, 2020, effective 7/15/2020 43 CR 20, October 25, 2020, effective 11/14/2020 44 CR 13, July 10, 2021, effective 7/30/2021 44 CR 24, December 25, 2021, effective 1/14/2022 45 CR 18, September 25, 2022, effective 10/15/2022 46 CR 02, January 25, 2023, effective 2/14/2023