OAR 860-021-0120: Meter Readings and Bill Forms

(1) Every energy utility providing metered service will clearly indicate on the meter the units of service for which the charge is made to the customer. The energy utility will clearly and plainly mark on the meter the proper constant to be applied when the dial reading on an electric meter must be multiplied by a constant to obtain the units consumed. (2) All bills must display: (a) The total consumption for the billing period; (b) The beginning and ending meter readings for the billing period, where available; (c) The beginning and ending dates of the billing period; (d) The number of units of service supplied; (e) The schedule number under which the bill was computed; and (f) Any other information needed to compute the bill. Each bill will specify the delinquent date of the bill. When there is good reason for so doing, the energy utility may submit estimated bills. The energy utility will clearly note on the bill when total consumption is estimated for more than twenty-four hours in one billing period. (3) The energy utility will read all service meters at least once a month, as nearly as possible, on the corresponding day of each meter reading period. Special authority may be granted for reading the meters less frequently than once a month if the circumstances warrant or upon the customer’s request if agreed to by the energy utility and the customer: (a) When access to a meter is difficult due to the meter’s location or other circumstance, the energy utility may seek the customer’s cooperation in obtaining meter readings. The energy utility will verify the actual meter reading not less than once every four months. (b) A customer must provide the energy utility with regular access to a meter on the customer’s property. Failure to permit access at reasonable times and after reasonable notice is grounds for disconnection. (4) On written customer request, an energy utility that manually obtains monthly meter reads must, at the time of such reading, leave at the premises, information containing the date and time of the meter read and the meter read data. (5) An energy utility will make a reasonable effort to prepare opening and closing bills from actual meter readings.