William Skewes for the Wisconsin Utilities Association appeared at the public hearing but did not testify. The following filed written comments:
William Skewes, Executive Director, Wisconsin Utilities Association
James A. Schubilske, Vice President, State Regulatory Affairs, Wisconsin Electric Power Company
Nicolas E. Kumm, Electric, Communications, & Gas Manager, Marshfield Utilities
Daniel Duchniak,Waukesha Water Utility
Julie Bohen, Watertown
Kelly Zylstra, Waukesha
Valerie Kraemer, Oconomowoc
Earl Smith, Milwaukee Water Works
Sen. Paul Farrow, Chair Senate Committee on Government Operations, Public Works and Telecommunications
Municipal Environmental Group - Water Division (MEG)
Filing in support of MEG comments:
Lori Sweet, Waukesha Water Utility Chris Hardy, Administrator, Winneconne Lake Como Sanitary District David Botts, Janesville
Scott Osborne, Oconomowoc Jerry Weisnicht, Administrator, Shawano Lake Sanitary Dist.
Keith Haas, Racine Steve Berndt, Public Works, Bonduel
Mark Simon, Brookfield Amy Barrilleaux, Madison Water Utility Deb Geier, Wausau Water Works Wally Thorn, Rice Lake Utilities
Frank Miller, Cudahy Water Utility Dan Knapp, Dir. Pub. Works, Chetek
Travis Coenen, Super. Public Works, Wrightstown Raymond Hyde, Pub. Works, Dir., Ashland Chris Stempa, Dept of Utils, Appleton Donna Scholl, Oconomowoc
Randy Kerkman, Bristol Edward St. Peter, Kenosha Water Util.
Keith Mueller, Comptroller, Green Bay Water Utility Daniel Duchniak, Franklin
G. ANY CHANGES TO THE FISCAL ESTIMATE OR THE ANALYSIS UNDER s. 227.14 (2), STATS.
None.
H. RESPONSE TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMENTS
A copy of the report from the Legislative Council is included as Attachment A3.
2. Form, Style and Placement in Administrative Code
a. Agree. Changes made.
b. Agree. Changes made.
c. Agree. Change made.
d. Agree. Change made.
e. Agree. Change made.
f. Agree. Change made.
g. Agree. Change made.
h. Agree. Change made.
i. Agree. Change made.
j. Agree. Change made.
k. Disagree. Since there is only one definition, the format used is appropriate.
l. Agree. Change made.
3. Clarity, Grammar, Punctuation and Use of Plain Language
a. Agree. Change made.
b. Disagree. These are terms of art that have been in the rules, undefined, for many years.
c. Agree. Change made.
I. MISCELLANEOUS DETERMINATIONS
The commission’s WEPA coordinator examined whether the rules have an environmental impact and concluded that they do not. Commission staff also considered whether the rule will directly or substantially impact housing under s. 227.115, Stats., and concluded that it will not. Attachment A1
TEXT OF RULES
SECTION 1. PSC 113.0614 is amended to read:
PSC 113.0614 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 Records | Period to be Retained |
(1) Maps showing the location and physical characteristics of existing facilities | Perpetually |
(2) Engineering records in connection with construction projects if construction of projects results wholly or in part | Until record is superseded or 6 years after plant is retired |
(3) Station and system generation records | Permanently |
(4) All other records taken in the plant | 6 years |
(5) Load dispatcher data | 6 years |
(6) Interruption records | 6 years |
(7) Meter test records Note that if meter test records are being used as meter history records under PSC 113.0919 (2) (b), the meter test records must be preserved for the time period required for meter history records. | See PSC 113.0919 Until the information in the meter test record is entered in the meter history record and the meter is tested again |
(8) Meter history records | Life of meter plus 6 years |
(9) Annual meter accuracy summary | 16 6 years |
(10) Voltmeter records | 2 years or until replaced by more recent records |
(11) All other records of operation | 6 years |
(12) Must be placed in mortality study before destroying | Life of equipment |
(13) Inspection of customers’ premises | 6 years |
(14) Customers’ complaint record | 6 years after complaint is resolved |
(15) Meter reading sheets records used for billing | * years 6 years |
(16) Billing record | * years 6 years |
(17) Customer deposits | 6 years after refund |
(18) Filed rates and rules | Permanently |
Note: See also “Regulations to Govern the Preservation of Records of Electric, Gas and Water Utilities” adopted by the commission in dockets 2-U-5005 and 2-U-5396, May 4, 1972, for more comprehensive listing of retention periods of specific records.
*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 2. PSC 113.0919 (1) and (2) are repealed and recreated to read:
PSC 113.0919 (1) (title) Meter test records. (a) A utility shall keep a record of a test whenever a unit of metering equipment is tested. The meter test record shall include all of the following:
1. Information to identify the unit of metering equipment.
2. The service address at which the unit of metering equipment is installed.
3. The equipment with which the unit of metering equipment is associated.
4. The date of the test.
5. The reason for the test.
6. A statement of “as found” accuracies.
7. A statement of “as left” accuracies, when applicable.
8. The name of the person making the test.
9. The readings before and after the test.
10. A statement as to whether or not the unit of metering equipment “creeps” and in case of creeping, all of the following:
a. The rate.
b. A statement of “as found” and “as left” accuracies sufficiently complete to permit checking of the calculations employed.
c. Indications showing that all required checks have been made.
d. A statement of repairs made by the utility, if any, or a notation that the unit was returned to the manufacturer for repairs.
e. Identification of the testing standard.
(b) Meter test records and meter history records may be kept as separate records or one record.
PSC 113.0919 (2) Meter history records. (a) Each utility shall keep a history record for each unit of metering equipment showing all of the following:
1. The date the unit was purchased.
2. The unit’s cost.
3. Information identifying the unit.
4. Equipment associated with the unit.
5. The unit’s essential name-plate data.
6. Dates of the last 2 tests.
7. Results of the last “as found” and “as left” tests, unless separate records are kept of each test for each unit.
8. Locations where the unit has been installed, with dates of installation and removal.
(b) Meter test records and meter history records may be kept as separate records or one record.
