OAR 860-030-0005: Energy Information and Audit Services

(1) As used in division 30, the terms "cash payment," "commercial lending institution," "Commission," "cost-effective," "director," "dwelling," "dwelling owner," "energy audit," "energy conservation measure," "investor-owned utility," "residential customer," "space heating," and "tenant" shall have the meanings set forth in ORS 469.631. (2) Investor-owned energy utilities shall notify their customers annually of the availability of energy audits without direct charge to the customers. Such notification shall be made: (a) In a bill insert or other direct mailing; and (b) Stating the types of assistance and technical advice available. (3) Energy audits: (a) Except as provided in section (5) of this rule, each energy utility shall provide energy audits to eligible customers upon request. The audit shall be performed in accordance with the provisions of ORS 469.631(8) and 469.633(2). The energy utility may set a schedule of reasonable charges for residential energy audits performed beyond the first energy audit for an individual customer in a particular residence; (b) If an energy utility's records do not contain sufficient data to establish a normal consumption for the customer in the dwelling (for example, a newly-established residence or a residence using a supplemental fuel, maintained at approximately 70 degrees F.), the energy utility shall make a reasonable estimate of such consumption for the purpose of completing the audit; and (c) If the dwelling requested to be audited is a rental unit, the audit shall include a heating cost estimate using average temperatures and typical lifestyles. A statement shall be included to the effect that a household's energy bill will contain charges for uses in addition to space heating. Such heating cost estimate and statement shall be displayed on the audit or a separate document suitable for conspicuous posting. (4) An eligible customer is any customer of the energy utility receiving residential electric or natural gas service. (5) Primary responsibility for furnishing an energy audit lies with the energy utility providing the primary source of home heating energy, and an energy utility, not a primary supplier, may discharge its energy audit obligation by arranging for the primary supplier of space heating to perform the energy audit. (6) Any residential customer using a space-heating fuel other than electricity or natural gas who receives service from an electric company shall be eligible for an energy audit from that utility if no other audit is obtainable. The electric company may set a schedule of reasonable charges for these audits which shall be separate from the periodic utility bill.