Order 15645 - Magdalena Churko v. Narr. Elec. Co.: Appeal of Decision in Billing Dispute

 

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS

DIVISION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

100 ORANGE STREET

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND 02903

ORDER

On June 22, 1998 the Division conducted an evidentiary hearing at 100 Orange Street, Providence, Rhode Island to take testimony on a billing dispute between Magdalena Churko, 142 So. Killingly Road, Foster, Rhode Island and Narragansett Electric Company.

Narragansett Electric, after determining that the meter at the South Killingly Road address was not registering properly during the period November 21, 1995 to November 20, 1996, rebilled Mrs. Churko for $442.13, the amount that the company determined went unbilled. The company's calculations were based on previous use and use registered on the new meter.

Mrs. Churko testified that she was not disputing the fact that she owed the company for electricity consumed during the period that the meter was defective, but was disputing the amount that was rebilled.

The Division had determined that the billing by Narragansett was correct but recommended that the bill be reduced by twenty percent due to variables effecting electricity usage that could have taken place.

Mrs. Churko testified that previous to the defective meter, her daughter and family were living with her which would have raised the amount of previous usage.

Narragansett Electric representative, Raymond Brothers agreed that the situation cited by Mrs. Churko could have made the usage higher during the period used in calculations to rebill Mrs. Churko.

FINDINGS

The Hearing Officer has determined, after a review of the record, that Mrs. Churko used more electricity during the period of the defective meter than showed on her bill. However, because of the circumstances, it is possible that the usage calculated in the rebilling could be higher than the actual electricity used during the period of the defective meter. The Hearing Officer finds that Mrs. Churko should pay 60% ($265.28) of the amount rebilled.

(15645) ORDERED:

That Mrs. Churko pay 60% ($265.28) of the amount rebilled to Narragansett Electric and that a payment schedule is worked out so that it poses no economic hardship on the customer.

DATED AND EFFECTIVE AT PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND THIS 20TH DAY OF JULY, 1998.