Retail Supplier Petitions PUC Regarding Availability of Off-Cycle Meter Read

PNE Energy Supply, LLC sought a declaratory ruling from the New Hampshire PUC regarding the proper interpretation of Rule Puc 2004.07(b)(1)b. with respect to the availability of off-cycle meter reads.

Specifically, PNE Energy Supply sought a Commission ruling declaring that Public Service of New Hampshire is required to have a provision in its tariff providing for an off-cycle meter reading. PSNH does not have a provision in its tariff providing for, "an off-cycle meter reading," PNE said.

On December 18, 2013, PNE said that it sent a letter to PSNH explaining its position that, under Rule Puc 2004.07(b), "the availability of an off-cycle meter read is not constrained to circumstances where a customer has failed to meet any of the terms of its agreement with a CEPS."

According to PNE, in its reply by letter dated December 23, 2013, PSNH stated that it, "interprets the rule to make a customer's breach of its agreement with a CEPS ... to be a condition precedent to a valid request for a mid-cycle meter read."

According to PNE, Rule Puc 2004.07(b)(1)b. provides that in requesting an off-cycle meter reading, a CEPS, "may be subject to a reasonable charge from the utility for such reading not to exceed the charge for performing an off-cycle meter reading for the utility's customer as defined in the utility's tariff [.]"

"Accordingly, Rule Puc 2004.07(b)(1)b. is expressly premised and dependent upon the general requirement for utility to have a provision in its tariff providing for 'an off-cycle meter reading,'" PNE said

Docket DE 14-066