83 Ill. Adm. Code 501.270
Commission Referee Tests
Section 501.270 Commission Referee Tests
a) Subject
to the provisions of subsection (b), a customer may not request a referee test
of a meter used to measure the customer's gas consumption if the utility that
provides service to the customer does not have the necessary testing equipment.
b) If a
customer requests a referee test of the meter used to measure the customer's
gas consumption, but the utility's testing facility is located out of state,
the utility shall provide the option of having the meter tested at an in-state
testing facility, provided the alternative location is in good standing with
the Commission and the location is capable of testing the meter. A meter shop
is in good standing if a Commission representative has conducted a review of
the facility for compliance with the requirements of this Part within the last
40 months and the meter shop has no outstanding non-compliance issues
associated with its ability to accurately measure meter accuracy. A Commission
representative shall advise, upon request of a utility, if a meter shop is in
good standing.
c) A
utility shall conduct a referee test of a meter within 45 days after receiving
notice from a Commission representative of a customer's request if the meter
testing facility that the utility uses to conduct the test is located in-state.
The utility shall conduct the meter test between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday
through Friday, excluding holidays, at a date and time agreed upon by the
utility, the customer and the Commission representative, unless the utility,
the customer and the Commission representative agree to a different day or
time.
d) A
utility shall conduct a referee test of a meter within 90 days after receiving
notice from a Commission representative of a customer's request if the meter
testing facility that the utility uses to conduct the test is located out of
state and the customer requesting the referee test selects the out-of-state
location, unless the customer agrees to a later time. The utility shall conduct
the meter test between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding
holidays, at a date and time agreed upon by the utility, the customer and the
Commission representative, unless the utility, the customer and the Commission
representative agree to a different day or time.
e) Upon
written application to the Commission by a customer and upon notice to a
utility by a Commission representative, a utility under the oversight of a
Commission representative shall conduct an accuracy test of a meter that was
the subject of the written request, provided the customer has not requested a
meter accuracy test under this Section or under Section 501.260 in the 12
months prior to the request. A customer shall make a written request for a
meter test and pay a fee, as provided in this subsection, to the Commission. A
utility shall inform the customer or a Commission representative, upon request,
of the size and type of meter used to serve the customer. If the accuracy test
indicates that the meter over-registers by more than 2.0%, the utility shall
refund the fee to the customer.
SCHEDULE OF FEES
Rated capacities in cubic feet per hour
Fee
Diaphragm meters up to 650
$40
Diaphragm meters from 651 to 1,500
$80
Diaphragm meters in excess of 1,500
$120
Rotary meters up to 1,500
$40
Rotary meters from 1,501 to 12,000
$80
Rotary meters from in excess of 12,000
$120
Turbine meter tested in utility shop at atmospheric pressure
$120
Metering types not listed but tested in utility shop
$120
f) If a
customer is required to pay the costs of a meter test under Section 501.260
because of the type or size of the meter, the customer must pay the utility the
same costs under this Section, in addition to the fee to the Commission under
subsection (e).
g) Upon
notice of a referee test from a Commission representative, a utility shall not
disturb the meter that was the subject of the written referee test request in
any manner, unless a Commission representative or the customer provides
authorization. The utility shall document the authorization by recording the
name of the person giving the authorization and the date and time of the
authorization. The utility shall provide this authorization documentation to
the Commission representative at the time of the referee test.
h) When
a utility removes a meter for purposes of a referee test, the utility or
Commission representative shall deliver the meter to the utility's meter
testing facility, and the utility shall secure the meter to prevent potential
tampering or disturbance from in-service conditions until the referee test
begins.
i) A
utility shall waive the 12-month waiting period identified in subsection (e)
for Commission referee tests if a customer makes one of the following
demonstrations:
1) A
deviation in the customer's measured gas usage in excess of 10% occurred
following the utility's installation of a different meter on the customer's
service and the difference is not attributable to weather or the customer's
process changes; or
2) Relevant
facts that point to potential accuracy problems with the meter.
j) If a
utility removes a meter for testing but before the testing occurs is notified
by the customer that the customer plans to request a referee test of the meter,
the utility shall not test the meter and shall secure the meter to prevent
potential tampering or disturbance from in-service conditions until the referee
test begins. If, after 60 days from when the utility removed the meter for
testing, the customer has not filed a request with the Commission for a referee
test, the utility shall send a notice in writing to the customer informing it
of the following:
1) The
notice shall state that the customer has 30 days in which to complete the
request for the Commission referee test.
2) If
the customer fails to make its request within the 30 days, the utility, at its
option, may conduct the required testing of the meter.
k) The
utility is responsible for contacting the Commission to verify the status of
the customer's request for a referee test prior to testing the meter.