304. [DELETED]

304 METERS READ BY CUSTOMERS 304.1 Gas utilities shall deliver in person or by mail to each customer a customer's meter reading card in order for the customer to read the meter when the utility is not required to do so pursuant to its tariffs. 304.2 Gas and electric utilities shall furnish a customer meter reading card whenever a meter reader is on the premises and cannot make an actual reading. 304.3 Any gas and electric utility customer may routinely read his own meter and report the reading to the utility on the postcard form referred to above, so long as the usage is reported accurately and on the schedule specified by the utility. 304.4 The utility shall provide the customer with at least six (6) postcard forms upon request. The customer meter reading card rendered by the customer shall be used for billing purposes, except in the following circumstances: (a) The reported reading varies significantly from the utility's estimate of usage; (b) The card is not returned timely to the Company; or (c) There has been an actual reading of the meter by the Company. 304.5 At least semi-annually, the customer shall provide access to the utility to obtain an actual meter reading in order to verify the accuracy of readings reported in this manner. This subsection shall not prevent a utility from reading meters on a regular basis. 304.6 If a utility estimate is used in billing in lieu of the reading on a timely customer meter reading card, the utility shall make an actual meter reading at the customer's request. 304.7 All customer meter reading cards shall comply with the following requirements: (a) Have the postage prepaid; (b) Indicate the date on which the meter should be read and time within which the card must be returned to the Company; and (c) Contain instructions on how to mark the card. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 25 DCR 10381, 10391 (June 1, 1979).