Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-20.3
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.
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.
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.
"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.
(Estimated Construction Costs) x
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 476.8.
Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-20.3