Maine Revised Statutes
Subchapter 1: ELECTRIC RATES
35-A §3104-A. Metering and billing system accuracy

§3104-A. Metering and billing system accuracy
A transmission and distribution utility shall conduct testing of its metering and billing systems in accordance with rules adopted by the commission. [PL 2017, c. 448, §2 (NEW).]
1. System accuracy; rulemaking. The commission shall amend or adopt rules governing the testing of the metering and billing systems of transmission and distribution utilities to ensure accuracy regarding the measurement of the usage of electricity and the determination of customer bills. Rules adopted by the commission must include but are not limited to requirements for the following:
A. The frequency of testing of the metering and billing systems; [PL 2017, c. 448, §2 (NEW).]
B. The method by which the transmission and distribution utility shall conduct testing of its metering and billing system; and [PL 2017, c. 448, §2 (NEW).]
C. The statistical analysis to be used as part of the testing procedures. [PL 2017, c. 448, §2 (NEW).]
The commission may adopt alternative testing procedures based on different metering or billing system technologies, such as for analog meters and digital meters.
[PL 2017, c. 448, §2 (NEW).]
2. Metering and billing system audits. In adopting rules pursuant to this section, the commission shall consider and may require periodic, independent audits of the metering and billing systems and the commission may determine that such audits are applicable to only residential and small commercial customers of an investor-owned transmission and distribution utility. If the commission requires periodic, independent audits of the metering and billing systems of an investor-owned transmission and distribution utility, the rules must contain at a minimum the following provisions:
A. The method by which the commission will choose an independent auditor; [PL 2017, c. 448, §2 (NEW).]
B. The allocation of costs of a periodic metering and billing systems audit; and [PL 2017, c. 448, §2 (NEW).]
C. The statistical analysis to be used in an audit. [PL 2017, c. 448, §2 (NEW).]
[PL 2017, c. 448, §2 (NEW).]
Rules adopted pursuant to this section are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A. [PL 2017, c. 448, §2 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2017, c. 448, §2 (NEW).