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quest, make special meter tests. The customer shall bear the cost of such tests, including meter removal and replacement when the meter is found to be within the limits of acceptable accuracy as defined in paragraphs (k) and (1) of this section. Such cost shall be a charge of $30. In all other cases, the Project will bear the cost of the test.

(1) Replacement of meter: whenever a customer requests the replacement of the service meter because of accuracy, such request shall be treated as a request for a test of such meter and, as such, shall fall under the provision of special meter tests.

(m) Standard of meter accuracy: The Project shall not place in service, or knowingly allow to remain in service without adjustment, any meter that has known error in registration of more than plus or minus two percent at light or at full load and unity power factor, or more than plus or minus three percent at full load and fifty percent power factor.

(n) Adjustment for inaccurate meter registration: Whenever a tested meter in service is found to be fast or slow beyond the limit of accepted accuracy as defined, the Project shall make an adjustment, based on the corrected registration for the period in which the meter was registering incorrectly, if such period is known and if not known for a period of not exceeding six months, but in no event for a period longer than the present customer's occupancy. Whenever any bill or bills have been adjusted or corrected as provided above and whenever such adjustment amounts to $1 or more, the Project shall credit to the customer any amount found to have been collected in excess of the proper amount, or the Project may require the customer to pay any additional amount due, as the case may be.

(0) Incorrect meter installation: Whenever any customer shall have been over-charged or under-charged as a result of incorrect installation of a meter or the use of an incorrect meter multiplier in billing the account, the amount of the over-charge shall be adjusted and credited to the customer, if in excess of $1 or amount of the

under-charged may be adjusted and billed to the customer if in excess of $5, provided that in no event shall such period of adjustment exceed the length of time the service has been supplied to the customer through the incorrect metering installation at the present location.

[37 FR 16393, Aug. 12, 1972, as amended at 41 FR 53321, Dec. 6, 1976; 43 FR 6227, Feb. 14, 1978]

§ 231.17 Consumer responsible for equip

ment.

The consumer shall, at his own risk and expense, furnish, install, and keep in good and safe condition all electric wires, machinery, and apparatus which may be required for receiving electric energy from the United States, and for applying and utilizing such energy, including all necessary protective devices.

§ 231.18 Change of consumer's equipment.

In the event the consumer shall make any appreciable load change either in the amount or character of the electric lamps, appliances, machinery, or apparatus installed upon his premises, he shall immediately give the Officer in Charge written notice thereof.

§ 231.19 Apparatus detrimental to service.

(a) The Officer in Charge may refuse to supply loads of a character that may seriously impair service to other consumers. He may require the consumer to provide suitable equipment to limit load fluctuations.

(b) All motors shall be provided with suitable starting devices or apparatus to limit their starting current. Motors of 15 h.p. and above shall be equipped with sufficient capacitance to maintain a minimum power factor of 90 percent.

(c) The Officer in Charge may discontinue electric service to any consumer who shall continue to use appliances or apparatus detrimental to the service after he has been notified to correct the condition and has failed to do so within a prescribed time.

§231.20 Wiring standards.

(a) All wiring and electrical appara tus on consumers' premises shall be installed in accordance with and conform to standards as prescribed by applicable local, county, or State code, or Federal regulations, or the National Board of Fire Underwriters, as determined by the Officer in Charge.

(b) The United States reserves the right to make all service connections. No service will be connected where an inspection is required until the installation has been inspected and approved by the inspector.

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(a) Bills for electric service will be rendered monthly. Payments shall be made at the designated office of the Colorado River Agency. On initial connection the consumer will be billed on actual consumption if connection was made within 15 days prior to meter reading. Any period over the 15 days will be considered a full billing period.

(b) Removal bills, special bills, bills for temporary service, or bills rendered to persons discontinuing service are payable on presentation.

(c) Bills for a connection or reconnection service, and payments for deposits shall be paid before service is connected or reconnected. Reconnection service will be performed on advance payment of $15, during normal working hours, or $15 plus overtime expenses during non-working hours.

(d) Uncollected bills that require action by the U.S. Department of the Interior Solicitor's Office for collection shall include 50 percent administrative charge plus 11⁄2 percent per month interest charge from date of delinquency.

[37 FR 16393, Aug. 12, 1972, as amended at 43 FR 6227, Feb. 14, 1978]

§ 231.23 Discontinuance of service on failure to pay bills.

(a) Bills are due and payable upon receipt. On failure of the consumer to pay his bill for electric service within 15 days after billing date, the Officerin-Charge shall discontinue the supply of energy, and service to the same consumer will not be resumed at the same or at any other location until the consumer has paid all bills then due, plus a reconnection charge of $15 during normal work hours, or $15 plus overtime expenses during non-work hours.

(b) Checks returned due to insufficient funds or any other reason are considered nonpayment of bill and the Officer in Charge may discontinue the supply of energy and service as provided in paragraph (a) of this section. An accounting charge of $5 will be made to the consumer in addition to the applicable reconnect charge as provided in paragraph (a) of this section.

[37 FR 16393, Aug. 12, 1972, as amended at 43 FR 6227, Feb. 14, 1978]

§ 231.24 Disputed bills.

In case of a dispute between the consumer and Officer in Charge as to the correct amount of any bill for electric service furnished the consumer, the consumer may protest by depositing with the Officer in Charge the amount of the bill and file a written statement of his claim. The matter shall then be referred to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs as provided in § 231.3. Service will continue if the amount of each bill, as it becomes due, is deposited within 15 days of the date shown on the billing, pending a decision on the appeal.

§ 231.25 Notice by consumer.

A consumer about to vacate premises who desires discontinuance of service shall give a written request at least 2 days prior thereto, specifying the date he desires service to be discontinued. If such notice is not given, he will be held responsible for all electric energy furnished to such premises until the service is discontinued.

§ 231.26 Fraud; tampering.

Tampering or in any way interfering with meters, transformers, poles, conductors, or any part of the property of the United States is prohibited, and any violation of this provision shall be subject to prosecution pursuant to law. Service will be discontinued to any premises at any time when in the opinion of the Officer in Charge such action is necessary to protect against abuse, fraud, or theft.

§ 231.27 Resale of electric power.

Service will be discontinued should a consumer resell electric energy delivered to such consumer from the Project electric power system.

[41 FR 53321, Dec. 6, 1976]

§ 231.28 Compensation of employees.

All employees are strictly forbidden to demand or accept any personal compensation for services rendered to

a consumer.

§ 231.29 Noncompliance with rules.

Should a consumer be found to be violating these rules and regulations and should he not remedy the violation, the Officer in Charge may discontinue electrical service. Except in cases of emergency or as otherwise provided, the consumer will be given written notice of at least 5 days. The notice shall state the particular rule or regulation that has been violated and inform the consumer of the action to be taken. Advance notice need not be given in the event of the discovery of a dangerous consumer-caused condition.

§ 231.30 Definition of maximum demand. The maximum demand for each month shall be defined as the average amount of power used by the consumer during that period of 30 consecutive minutes when such average is the greatest for that month as determined from time to time by the United States by suitable meters or other

means.

§ 231.31 Interruptions to service.

The United States will furnish energy continuously so far as reasonable diligence will permit but the

United States, its officers, agents, or employees shall not be liable for damages when, for any reason, suspensions of the operation of the power system of the United States, or any part thereof, interfere with the delivery of electrical energy to a consumer. Should such suspensions occur due to causes arising on the system of the United States, the minimum bills of consumers who are affected may be reduced 1 percent for each 8 hours or major fraction of total suspension occurring in 1 month.

§ 231.32 Written claim.

The consumer may make written claim, within 30 days after date of monthly bill, for reduction on account of any suspension or suspensions alleged to have occurred and not considered in such bill. If written claim is not made within 30 days, claim shall be deemed to have been waived. If any dispute arises as to whether there was a suspension of service, or whether any such suspension was due to causes arising on the power system, the matter shall be referred to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs as provided in § 231.3.

§ 231.33 Contingent upon appropriations. All contracts are subject to appropri ations being made by Congress from year to year of moneys sufficient to do the work provided for therein, and to there being sufficient moneys available to permit allotments to be made for the performance of said work. No liability shall accrue against the United States by reason of such moneys not being appropriated, nor on account of there not being sufficient moneys to permit sufficient allotments.

§ 231.34 Minimum contract period.

The minimum contract period is 1 year. The contract, however, may be terminated if the consumer vacates the premises, except in cases where an extension has been constructed to supply the consumer as stated in §§ 231.5 and 231.7. In this event any amount owing the consumer for a construction advance shall be forfeited.

[41 FR 53321, Dec. 6. 1976]

$231.51 Rate Schedule No. 1—residential rate.

(a) Application. This schedule applies to electrical service required for residential purposes in individual private dwellings and in individually metered apartments delivered through one meter to a customer at one premise either urban or rural, for domestic use only. The electric service is to be used only on the consumer's own premises and must not be resold.

(b) Type of service. Single phase, 60 cycle, 120/240 volts.

(c) Monthly rate.

(1) $6 for the first 100 kilowatthours or less.

(2) 4.6 cents per kilowatt-hour for the next 300 kilowatt-hours.

(3) 4 cents per kilowatt-hour for the next 800 kilowatt-hours.

(4) 3 cents per kilowatt-hour for all additional kilowatt-hours.

(d) Fuel cost adjustment. An adjustment shall be added to each kilowatthour used equal to the estimated average purchase power adjustment paid by the project to the Project's power suppier.

[43 FR 11983, Mar. 23, 1978]

§231.52 Rate Schedule No. 2-commercial rate.

(a) Application. This schedule applies to service required by commercial and industrial customers for all uses when such service is supplied at one point of delivery and measured through one meter.

(b) Type of service. Single or three phase, 60 cycle, at one standard voltage (120/240, 120/208, 277/480 or 480 volts).

(c) Monthly rate.

(1) $6 for the first 100 kilowatthours or less.

(2) 4.6 cents per kilowatt-hour for the next 900 kilowatt-hours.

(3) 3.7 cents per kilowatt-hour for the next 4,000 kilowatt-hours.

(4) 2.8 cents per kilowatt-hour for all additional kilowatt-hours.

(d) Demand charge. (1) None for the first 5 kilowatts of billing demand.

(2) $2.50 per kilowatt for all billing demand over 5 kilowatts.

(e) Minimum charge. (1) $8 or $2 per kilowatt of billing demand for billing

demands over 5 kilowatts, or the amount specified in the contract whichever is greater, except where the Officer-in-Charge determines that the customer's requirements are of a distinctly recurring seasonal nature. Then the minimum monthly bill shall not be more than an amount sufficient to make the total charges for the twelve (12) months ending with the current month, equal to twelve times the highest monthly minimum computed for the same twelve month period.

(f) Billing demand. The highest 15 minute integrated demand in kilowatts occurring during the month or the demand specified in a contract whichever is greater.

(g) Fuel cost adjustment. An adjustment shall be added to each kilowatthour used equal to the estimated average purchased power adjustment paid by the project to the Project's power suppliers.

[43 FR 6228, Feb. 14, 1978]

§ 231.53 Rate Schedule No. 3-irrigation pumping rate.

(a) Application. This schedule shall apply to power used for pumping of irrigation water for irrigation systems when such service is supplied at one point of delivery and measured through one meter and is approved by the Officer-in-Charge.

(b) Type of service. Three phase, 60 cycle at one standard voltage (208, 240 or 480 volts).

(c) Monthly rate.

(1) Energy Charge 1.7 cents per kilowatt-hour.

(2) Demand Charge $1.50 per kilowatt of billing demand.

(3) Minimum Charge $1.50 per kilowatt of billing demand.

[43 FR 6228, Feb. 14, 1978]

§ 231.54 Rate Schedule No. 4-street and area lighting.

(a) Application. This rate schedule applies to service for lighting public streets, alleys, thoroughfares, public parks, school yards, industrial areas, parking lots, and similar areas where dusk-to-dawn service is desired. The Project will own, operate and maintain

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(c) Minimum term of service. The minimum term of service will be twelve months, payable in advance. This advance payment may be waived by the Officer-in-Charge.

(d) Installation charges. The customer will be required to pay the total installation costs including labor and material as determined by the Officerin-Charge. This will be a non-refundable charge. Ownership of all facilities will remain with the Project, including lamp and globe replacement.

[43 FR 6228, Feb. 14, 1978]

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Sec.

STANDARD RATE SCHEDULES

232.51 Rate schedule No. 1: Residential,

urban and rural.

232.52 Rate schedule No. 2: General. 232.54 Rate schedule No. 4: General. 232.55 Rate schedule No. 5: Irrigation pumping and sprinkling.

232.56 Rate schedule No. 6: Street and area lighting.

AUTHORITY: Sec. 7, 62 Stat. 273; 5 U.S.C.

301.

SOURCE: 41 FR 1899, Jan. 13, 1976, unless otherwise noted.

§ 232.1

Effective date; changes.

(a) The regulations in this part are for the conduct of the electric power system of the Flathead Project, Montana, hereinafter referred to as the Project.

(b) These service policies are a part of all oral or written contracts for furnishing or receiving electric service. A copy of the written contract forms can be inspected at the Project's offices.

(c) These regulations shall become effective with the first billing made after the second calendar month following the date of final publication in the FEDERAL REGISTER.

(d) The regulations in this part may be revised, amended, supplemented, or otherwise changed by duly delegated authority from the Secretary of the Interior. These rules and regulations cancel the previous rules and regulations of Part 232, Title 25, Code of Federal Regulations.

§ 232.2 Authority of project engineer.

The project engineer is responsible for the operation of the Electric Power System and the enforcement of the regulations in this part. He is authorized to carry out and enforce the regulations either directly or through the power superintendent or other project employees designated by him.

§ 232.3 Disputes.

Any aggrieved party may file with the project engineer a written complaint regarding the application of the regulations. Within fifteen days after its receipt, the project engineer shall render a written decision thereon and serve a copy thereof on the aggrieved

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