SECTION 165:35-15-22. Adjustment of bills

(a)   Fast meters. Whenever any meter tested by PUD or the utility is found to have an average error of more than two percent (2%) fast (or in favor of the utility), the utility shall refund to the consumer the overcharge based upon the last test, but not to exceed six (6) months, unless it can be established that the error was due to some cause, the date of which can be fixed with reasonable certainty, or the error was due to meter tampering or theft, in which case the overcharge shall be computed from that date.

(b)   Slow meters. Whenever a meter tested by PUD or the utility is found to have an average error of more than two percent (2%) slow (or in favor of the consumer), the utility shall charge for the electricity consumed, but not included, in bills previously rendered, based upon the corrected meter reading, for a period equal to one-half (1/2) of the time elapsed since the last previous test, but not to exceed six (6) months, unless it can be established that the error was due to meter tampering or theft. The utility shall allow the consumer to pay the corrected amount, in installment payments, over the same period of time in which the incorrect billing took place, but not to exceed six (6) months, unless otherwise agreed to by the utility and consumer.

(c)   Nonregistering meters. If a meter is found not to register or to register intermittently for any period, the utility may charge for an estimated amount of electricity used, which shall be calculated by averaging the amounts registered over corresponding periods in previous years, or in the absence of such information, over similar periods of known accurate measurement preceding or subsequent thereto. The estimated billing shall not exceed six (6) months, unless it can be established that the error was due to meter tampering or theft. The utility shall allow the consumer to pay the estimated billing amount, in installment payments, over six (6) months, unless otherwise agreed to by the utility and consumer.

(d)   Incorrect register, connection of the meter, or multiplier on meters. If a meter is found to have an incorrect register, connection, multiplier, or constant, the error shall be corrected. Where the error is adverse to the consumer, the utility shall refund the excess charged for the amount of electricity incorrectly metered for the period of time the meter was used in billing the consumer. Where the error is adverse to the utility, the utility shall charge the consumer the undercharge for the amount of electricity incorrectly metered for the period of time, not to exceed six (6) months, the meter was used in billing the consumer, unless it can be established that the error was due to meter tampering or theft. The utility shall allow the consumer to pay any unbilled amount over the same period of time in which the undercharge took place, but not to exceed six (6) months, unless otherwise agreed to by the utility and consumer.

(e)   Compliance. This Section shall not apply to routine testing and replacement of meters.

(f)   Conformity. Consumer submeters shall conform to the adjustments set forth in subsections (a) through (e) of this Section.

[Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 2237, eff 7-1-99; Amended at 31 Ok Reg 1030, eff 9-12-14; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 620, eff 7-25-19]