Wisconsin Legislature: Text

(b) If the information in par. (a) is kept in combination with the meter test record required by sub. (1) and meter test records are kept for the time period required for meter history records, a separate history record is not required.

SECTION 6. PSC 113.0919 (3) (title) and (4) (title) are created to read:

PSC 113.0919 (3) Statistical sampling summaries.

PSC 113.0919 (4) Computerized meter record system.

SECTION 7. PSC 113.0921 (1) (e) and (f) are amended to read:

PSC 113.0921 (1) (e) A lot shall be deemed unacceptable and rejected for continued use if the total estimated percent defective (P) is greater than or equal to the appropriate maximum allowable percent defective (M) as determined from Table B-3, page 45 MIL-STD-414, following the procedure of par. (c) for both the full load and light load analysis test points at the respective designated Acceptable Quality Levels on any 2 annual sample testing analysis years within a five-year period for the lot or any meters in the lot. All meters in a rejected lot shall be provided with an appropriate test within a period of 48 months from the date of completion of the sample analysis and all the meters tested in the rejected lot shall be adjusted to the accuracies specified in s. PSC 113.0811 (1) (c). All meters in a rejected lot that will not be returned to service shall be removed within 48 months from the date of completion of the sample analysis. These meters may be retired without a test. Annual statistical sample testing shall be terminated during the period when all of the meters in a rejected lot are being provided with a test and, unless the meter must be retained under s. PSC 113.0922 (3), an accuracy adjustment.

(f) All meters in any lot may be tested and, unless the meter must be retained under s. PSC 113.0922 (3), adjusted for proper accuracy over a 48-month period at the discretion of the utility without a sample analysis determination specifying the lot test is necessary.

SECTION 8. PSC 113.0921 (1) (g) is repealed.

SECTION 9. PSC 113.0922 (title) is amended to read:

PSC 113.0922 (title) Customer request test and commission referee tests.

SECTION 10. PSC 113.0922 (1) (title) is created to read:

PSC 113.0922 (1) (title) Customer request test.

SECTION 11. PSC 113.0922 (3) is created to read:

PSC 113.0922 (3) Meter retention. (a) After a customer requested test. When a utility performs a customer requested test on a customer's meter under sub. (1) or when the commission requests that a meter be tested, the utility shall keep the tested meter, in “as tested" condition, at a designated location on the utility's premises for at least one full billing period plus 4 weeks after the test result report is issued so that the meter is available should another meter test be requested. If the meter tests as accurate, the utility may choose to keep the tested meter installed at the customer's premises for the designated time period rather than storing it at the utility's premises.

(b) After a referee test. When a utility performs a referee test on a customer's meter under sub. (2), the utility shall keep the tested meter, in “as tested" condition, at a designated location on the utility's premises for at least 10 business days after the test result report is issued so that the meter is available should further testing or review be needed. If the meter tests as accurate, the utility may choose to keep the tested meter installed at the customer's premises for the designated time period rather than storing it at the utility's premises.

(c) When performing other tests. When a utility tests a customer's meter for a reason other than those in subs. (1) or (2), and the test results in back billing or a credit, the utility shall keep the tested meter, in “as tested" condition, at a designated location on the utility's premises for at least one full billing period plus 4 weeks after the back billing or credit is issued so that the meter is available should another meter test be requested. If a customer requests that the meter be retested, the utility shall keep the retested meter, in “as tested" condition, at a designated location on the utility's premises for at least 10 business days after the retest is completed and a written report about that test has been issued.

(d) When a complaint or dispute occurs. When a utility receives a complaint under s. PSC 113.0610 or is notified about a dispute under s. PSC 113.0407 involving a meter-related issue, the utility shall keep the meter, in “as tested" condition, at a designated location on the utility's premises for at least one full billing period plus four weeks after the complaint or dispute and any appeal of that dispute is resolved so that the meter is available should testing be requested. If the meter was tested during the complaint or dispute process, and it tested as accurate, the utility may choose to keep the tested meter installed at the customer's premises for the designated time period rather than storing it at the utility's premises.

(e) When a meter is retired. When a utility retires a meter from service and test results indicate that no back billing or credit is due a customer, the utility may dispose of the meter immediately. When a utility retires a meter from service without testing it, the utility shall keep the meter, in “as found" condition, at a designated location on the utility's premises for at least one full billing plus 4 weeks after it is retired so that the meter is available should a meter test be requested.

SECTION 12. PSC 113.0922 (6) is created to read:

PSC 113.0922 (6) Records retention requirements . A utility shall keep the complete, original record from any test under this section on file for the time period specified in s. PSC 113.0614.

SECTION 13. PSC 113.0923 and title are renumbered PSC 113.0922 (2) and (title).

SECTION 14. PSC 134.19 (1) (title) is created to read:

PSC 134.19 (1) (title) Meter test records.

SECTION 15. PSC 134.19 (1) is repealed and recreated to read:

PSC 134.19 (1) (a) A utility shall create a record of a meter test whenever a meter is tested. If the meter is tested again, the utility need not retain the previous test record once the information in that record has been entered in the meter history record. The meter test record shall include all of the following:

1. Information identifying the meter.

2. The reason for making the test.

3. The reading of the meter before it was removed from service.

4. The accuracy of measurement.

5. All the data that was taken at the time of the test.

(b) The meter test record must be sufficiently complete to permit convenient checking of the methods and calculations that have been employed.

SECTION 16. PSC 134.19 (2) (title) is created to read:

PSC 134.19 (2) (title) Meter history records.

SECTION 17. PSC 134.19 (2) is repealed and recreated to read:

PSC 134.19 (2) (a) The utility shall keep a meter history record which indicates all of the following:

1. The date the meter was purchased.

2. The meter's size.

3. Information identifying the meter.

4. The meter's various places of installation, with dates of installation and removal.

5. The dates and results of all tests.

6. The dates and details of all repairs.

(b) The record shall be arranged in such a way that the record for any meter can be readily located.

SECTION 18. PSC 134.19 (3) (title) is created to read:

PSC 134.19 (3) (title) Meter accuracy summaries.

SECTION 19. PSC 134.20 is amended to read:

PSC 134.20 Preservation of records. The A utility shall preserve the following records shall be preserved in a readable format and kept keep them available for inspection by the commission for the periods indicated. The list is not to be taken as comprehending a complete list of all types of utility records.

	Description of Record	Period to be Retained
(1)	Maps showing the location and physical characteristics of existing plant	Currently
(2)	Engineering records in connection with construction projects	Permanently
(3)	Supply records:
	Station and system supply records	Permanently
	All other records taken in the plant	6 years
(4)	Operating records:
	Load dispatcher data	6 years
	Interruption records	6 years
	Meter test records	See s. PSC 134.19 Until the information in the meter test record is entered in the meter history record and the meter is tested again
	Meter history records	Life of meter plus 6 years
	Annual meter accuracy summary	20 6 years
	Heating value records	6 years
	Pressure records	6 years
	Specific gravity records	6 years
	All other records of operation	6 years
(5)	Equipment record:
	Must be placed in mortality study before destroying	Life of equipment
(6)	Customers' records:
	Inspection of customers' equipment	10 years
	Complaint record	6 years
	Meter reading sheets or cards records	* years 6 years
	Billing record	* years 6 years
	Customer deposits	6 years after refund
(7)	Filed rates and rules	Permanently

Note: See Federal Power Commission Orders 54 and 156 for preservation of records. Public Service Commission's Classification of Accounts, and s. 18.01, Stats.

* Where machine billing is used and meter readings recorded on tabulating cards, the register sheets may be considered the “meter reading sheets" and the “billing records." “Meter reading sheets"and “billing records" or the “register sheets" shall be kept 6 years or until they are no longer needed to adjust bills. This means that the records must be kept 6 years or from the date of one meter test to the next, whichever is longer.

SECTION 20. PSC 134.31 (3) is amended to read:

PSC 134.31 (3) All request and referee meter tests shall include an inspection of the meter index by removing the index from the meter body. The dials, gears and all other parts of the index shall be visually inspected for wear, misalignment or other mechanical defects which would affect the accuracy of the meter on a continuing or sporadic basis. Any defects affecting the meter's accuracy shall be noted and evaluated in the report of the test.

SECTION 21. PSC 134.31 (4) is created to read:

PSC 134.31 (4) Meter retention. (a) After a customer requested test. When a utility performs a customer-requested test on a customer's meter under sub. (1) or when the commission requests that a meter be tested, the utility shall keep the tested meter, in “as tested" condition, at a designated location on the utility's premises for at least one full billing period plus four weeks after the test result report is issued so that the meter is available should another meter test be requested. If the meter tests as accurate, the utility may choose to keep the tested meter installed at the customer's premises for the designated time period rather than storing it at the utility's premises.

(c) When performing other tests. When a utility tests a customer's meter for a reason other than those in sub (1) or (2), and the test results in back billing or a credit, the utility shall keep the tested meter, in “as tested" condition, at a designated location on the utility's premises for at least one full billing period plus 4 weeks after the back billing or credit is issued so that the meter is available should another meter test be requested. If a customer requests that the meter be retested, the utility shall keep the retested meter, in “as tested" condition, at a designated location on the utility's premises for at least 10 business days after the retest is completed and a written report about that test has been issued.

(d) When a complaint or dispute occurs. When a utility receives a complaint under s. PSC 134.17 or is notified about a dispute under s. PSC 134.064 involving a meter-related issue, the utility shall keep the meter, in “as tested" condition, at a designated location on the utility's premises for at least one full billing period plus four weeks after the complaint or dispute and any appeal of that dispute is resolved so that the meter is available should testing be requested. If the meter was tested during the complaint or dispute process, and it tested as accurate, the utility may choose to keep the tested meter installed at the customer's premises for the designated time period rather than storing it at the utility's premises.

(e) When a meter is retired. When a utility tests a meter for accuracy when retiring the meter from service and the test results indicate that no back bill or credit is due a customer, the utility may dispose of the meter immediately. When a utility retires a meter from service without testing it, the utility shall keep the meter, in “as found" condition, at a designated location on the utility's premises for at least one full billing period plus 4 weeks after it is retired so that the meter is available should a meter test be requested.

SECTION 22. PSC 134.31 (6) is created to read:

PSC 134.31 (6) Records retention requirements. A utility shall keep the complete, original record from any test under this section on file for the time period specified in s. PSC 134.20.

SECTION 23. PSC 185.19 (1) is amended to read:

PSC 185.19 (1) The A utility shall preserve the following records shall be preserved in a readable format and kept keep them available for inspection by the commission for the period indicated. The list is not to be taken as comprehending all types of utility records.

Description of Record	Period to be Retained
(a) Maps showing the location and physical characteristics of the utility plant	Until maps are superseded or 6 years after plant is retired, provided mortality data are retained
(b) Engineering and original cost records in connection with construction projects	Until records are superseded or 6 years after plant is retired, provided mortality data are retained. An exception is allowed when a utility maintains approved continuing property records; then, engineering and original cost records need only be preserved for a period of 6 years after construction is completed.
(c) Operating records
1. Station pumpage records	15 years or 3 years after the source is abandoned, whichever is shorter
2. Interruption records	6 years
3. Meter test records	(See s. PSC 185.46) Until the information in the meter test record is entered in the meter history record and the meter is tested again
4. Meter history record*	Life of meter plus 6 years
5. Annual meter accuracy summary	10 6 years
6. Pressure records	6 years
(d) Customer records:
1. Complaint records	3 years
2. Customer deposit	6 years after refund
3. Meter reading sheets or cards records	** 6 years
4. Billing record	** 6 years
(e) Filed rates and rules	Permanently

* Where practicable shall be placed in mortality study before destroying.

** Where machine billing is used and meter readings recorded on tabulated cards, the register sheets may be considered to be “meter reading sheets" and the “billing records." Meter reading sheets and billing records or the register sheets shall be kept 6 years or until they are no longer needed to adjust bills. This means that the records shall be kept 6 years or from the date of one meter test to the next, whichever is longer.

Note: See also “Regulations to Govern the Preservation of Records of Electric, Gas and Water Utilities" adopted by the commission in docket 2-U-5005, April 27, 1981, for a more comprehensive listing of retention periods of specific records.

SECTION 24. PSC 185.46 (1) (title) is created to read:

PSC 185.46 (1) (title) Meter test records.

SECTION 25. PSC 185.46 (1) is repealed and recreated to read:

PSC 185.46 (1) A utility shall create a record of a meter test whenever a meter is tested. If the meter is tested again, the utility need not retain the previous test record once the information in that record has been entered in the meter history record. The meter test record shall include all of the following:

(a) Identification of the meter.

(b) The meter's location.

(d) A statement of “as found" accuracies.

(e) A statement of “as left" accuracies, when applicable.

(f) The name of the person making the test.

SECTION 26. PSC 185.46 (2) (title) is created to read:

PSC 185.46 (2) (title) Meter history records.

SECTION 27. PSC 185.46 (2) is repealed and recreated to read:

PSC 185.46 (2) Each utility shall keep a history record for each meter sufficient to fulfill the requirements of s. PSC 185.19, including all of the following:

(a) The date the meter was placed into service.

(b) The information in all of the meter's test records under sub. (1).

SECTION 28. PSC 185.73 (2) is amended to read:

PSC 185.73 (2) Meters shall be tested Except as provided in s. PSC 185.46, a utility shall test a meter “as found," or before repair (As Found) and, and, unless the meter must be retained under s. PSC 185.77 (3), “as left," or after repair (As Left). (See s. PSC 185.46 for exceptions.)

SECTION 29. PSC 185.73 (4) is amended to read:

PSC 185.73(4) Meters A meter not meeting the accuracy or other requirements of s. PSC 185.61 or 185.65 shall, unless the meter must be retained under s. PSC 185.77 (3), be repaired or rebuilt to meet those requirements before further use.

SECTION 30. A note following PSC 185.76 (6) is created to read:

PSC 185.76 (6) Note: But see PSC 185.77 (3) (d) that may require all retired meters to be tested.

SECTION 31. A note following PSC 185.761 (2) is created to read:

PSC 185.761 (2) Note: But see PSC 185.77 (3) (d) that may require all retired meters to be tested.

SECTION 32. PSC 185.77 (title) is amended to read: