CHAPTER Puc 1100
RULES FOR STEAM UTILITIES
REVISION NOTE:
Document
#6445, effective 1-28-97, made extensive changes to the wording and numbering
of rules in Chapter Puc 1100. Document
#6445 supersedes all prior filings for the sections in this chapter. The prior filings for former Chapter Puc 1100
include the following documents:
#2011,
eff 5-4-82
#2912,
eff 11-26-84
#5004,
eff 11-26-90
#6381,
INTERIM, eff 11-27-96, EXPIRES: 3-27-97
PART Puc 1101 APPLICATION OF RULES
Puc 1101.01
Application of Rules.
These rules shall apply to all steam utilities as defined in Puc
1102.02.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss by #8244, eff 12-31-04; ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
PART
Puc 1102 DEFINITIONS
Puc 1102.01 "Commission" means the
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc 1100)
#6445, eff 1-28-97; ss by #8244, eff 12-31-04; ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
Puc 1102.02 "Public utility", "steam
utility" or "utility" means any "public utility" as
defined in RSA 362:2 owning, operating or managing any plant or equipment or
any part of the same for the manufacture or furnishing of steam for the public
in the state of
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss by #8244, eff 12-31-04; ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
PART
PUC 1103 QUALITY OF SERVICE
Puc 1103.01 Interruptions of Service.
(a)
Each utility shall use all practicable means to avoid interruptions to
service, including maintaining appropriate levels of maintenance and planning for
unexpected events.
(b)
Should interruption occur, the utility shall re-establish service within
the shortest time practicable, consistent with safety.
(c)
Each utility shall:
(1) Keep a record of all interruptions to
service; and
(2) Report service interruptions to the
commission on Form E-23, which is described at Puc 1107.09, once a month, if
they occur.
(d)
When service is interrupted to perform work on lines or equipment, the
utility shall perform such work at a time causing minimum inconvenience to
customers consistent with the circumstances.
(e)
The utility shall notify in advance, if practicable, customers affected
by interruption to service to perform work on lines or equipment.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss by #8244, eff 12-31-04; ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
PART
Puc 1104 METERS
Puc 1104.01 Meter Testing and Accuracy.
(a)
All new steam meters and meters which are in service which are tested
pursuant to (b) below shall be tested and calibrated to within the tolerances
as provided in (d) below before being put into or returned to service.
(b)
All meters in service shall be tested in accordance with the following
schedule:
(1) All condensate meters shall be tested at
least once every 3 years; and
(2) All steam meters shall be tested at least
once every 10 years.
(c)
When a customer requests a test of its meter, a utility shall follow the
following procedures:
(1)
The utility shall test the accuracy of
the customer's meter within 15 days from the time the request is made;
(2) Any meter test charge imposed under this
paragraph shall conform to the utility's tariff;
(3) A customer may be represented in person or by
an agent when the utility conducts the test of his or her meter; and
(4) The utility shall provide to the customer
within 30 days after completion of the test a report giving:
a. The name of the customer requesting the test;
b. The date of the request;
c. The location, the type, make, size, the
serial number of the meter;
d. The date tested; and
e. The result of the test.
(d)
Any meter tested in accordance with (a), (b) or (c) above shall be correct
to within 3% before being installed or re-installed.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss by #8244, eff 12-31-04; ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
Puc 1104.02 Customer's Bill Adjustments.
(a)
The utility shall make refunds or charges, as applicable, when testing
done in accordance with Puc 1104.01(b) or (c) indicates an error greater than
3%.
(b)
Such refunds or charges shall be made in accordance with the terms
specified in the utility's tariff.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss by #8244, eff 12-31-04; ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
Puc 1104.03 Meter Records.
(a)
Each utility shall keep numerically arranged and properly classified
records giving for each meter owned and used by the utility for any purpose,
the following:
(1) Identification number;
(2) Date of purchase;
(3) Name of manufacturer, serial number, type and
rating; and
(4) Information on each customer on whose
premises the meter has been in service, including:
a. Name and address; and
b. Date of installation and removal.
(b)
The records required by (a) above shall be maintained in a manner such
that the date and results of the last test are readily ascertainable.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss by #8244, eff 12-31-04; ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
PART
Puc 1105 DAMAGE PREVENTION, MAPS AND
SAFETY
Puc 1105.01 Underground Utility Damage Prevention
Program. All utilities shall comply
with Puc 800, the underground damage prevention program.
Source.
(See Revision Note at Chapter heading
Puc 1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss by #8244, eff 12-31-04; ss by #10307, eff
4-9-13
Puc 1105.02 System Maps. Each utility shall have on file at its
principal office located within the state a map, maps or drawings showing the
following:
(a)
Size, character and location of mains, including valves;
(b)
Size and location of each service line, where practicable, provided that
in lieu of showing service locations on maps, a card record or other suitable
means may be used; and
(c)
Layout of all principal production plants and other facilities to show
size, location and character of all major equipment, pipe lines, connections,
valves and other equipment used.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss by #8244, eff 12-31-04; ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
Puc 1105.03 Safety Instructions.
(a)
Each utility shall adopt comprehensive instructions for the safety of employees
in the operation, construction or maintenance of its plant and facilities.
(b)
Each utility shall institute practices and programs to establish that
its employees have been properly informed of safe practices and are cognizant
of all hazards involved.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss by #8244, eff 12-31-04; ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
Puc
1105.04 Resuscitation.
(a)
Each utility periodically shall instruct its employees engaged in
electrical work, including but not limited to those employees who work on all
live electric conductors and equipment, in accepted safety procedures for
resuscitation from electrical shock.
(b)
The utility shall instruct all employees engaged in work in hazardous
atmospheres such as meter vaults in the procedure to be followed in cases
involving asphyxiation.
(c)
The utility shall furnish copies of applicable safety procedures to each
employee described in (a) and (b) above.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss by #8244, eff 12-31-04; ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
Puc 1105.05 Accidents.
(a)
As soon as possible after each accident occurring in connection with the
operation of its property, facilities or services, each utility shall report
whether any person(s) has been killed or injured, or if any compensable
property damage has been caused.
(b)
The first report of an accident may be preliminary, but, if so, shall be
followed later by as full a statement as possible of the cause and details of
the accident and the precautions taken, if any, to prevent recurrence.
(c)
Accidents to employees resulting in injuries which do not incapacitate
the person injured from active work for more than 6 days in total during the 10
days immediately following injury are
not required to be reported. The utility
shall report any other accident related to its utility operations on Form E-5
described in Puc 1107.05.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss by #8244, eff 12-31-04; ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
PART
Puc 1106 REPORTING AND ACCOUNTING
REQUIREMENTS
Puc 1106.01 Reports to Commission.
(a)
Each utility shall provide the commission the results of any required
tests and summaries of any required records.
(b)
Each utility shall provide the commission with any information
concerning the utility's facilities or operations relating to determining rates
or judging the practices of the utility pursuant to RSA 378:1.
(c)
Each utility shall make records required under this section available to
the commission or its staff upon request at the utility's office located in the
state of
(d)
Each utility shall file reports with the commission as provided in Puc
1107 on forms described in Puc 1107 in the frequency as specified in Puc 1107.
(e)
Each utility shall file with the commission tariffs pursuant to Puc
1600.
(f)
Copies of each form shall be furnished by the commission upon request.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss by #8244, eff 12-31-04; ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
Puc 1106.02 Uniform System or Classification of
Accounts.
(a)
Each utility shall maintain its accounts and records in conformity with
the "Uniform Classification of Accounts for Gas Utilities"
established and issued by the commission as a uniform system of accounts
pursuant to RSA 374:8.
(b)
The requirements of (a) above shall apply to both the keeping and
preservation of accounts and records.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss by #8244, eff 12-31-04; ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
Puc 1106.03 Short Term Debt. No utility shall issue or renew any notes,
bonds or other evidences of indebtedness payable less than 12 months after the
date thereof if said short term debt exceeds 10% of the utility's net fixed
plant without prior commission approval pursuant to Puc 201.05.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss by #8244, eff 12-31-04; ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
PART Puc
1107 FORMS TO BE FILED BY UTILITIES
Puc 1107.01 F-3
Statement of Pro Forma Income Statement at Present and Proposed Rates
for Year Ended.
(a)
Each utility which requests a rate increase shall file form F-3 with the
commission.
(b)
Each utility shall include on form F-3 a breakdown of operating revenues
and expenses for:
(1) Actual year ended;
(2) Adjustments and pro forma at present rates;
(3) At proposed rates with additional
requirements; and
(4) Total requirements.
(c)
Each utility shall include on form F-3 a calculation of rate base and calculation
of rate of return.
(d)
Each utility shall also comply with the requirements of Puc 1600.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss and moved by #8244, eff 12-31-04 (from Puc
1107.02); ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
Puc 1107.02 F-4 Petition For Authority To Issue Securities.
(a) Each utility
shall file form F-4 with the commission when it seeks authority to issue
securities.
(b) Each utility shall
include on Form F-4 the following:
(1) A petition which shall include:
a. A caption;
b. Description of authorized and outstanding
long term debt and capital stock;
c. Amount of short term notes outstanding;
d. Description of new securities;
e. Description of what proceeds will be used
for;
f. List of exhibits attached;
g. Certification statement as contained in (d)
below; and
h. Petitioner's prayer asking for the relief
requested;
(2) Exhibit 1, application for leave to issue securities
pursuant to RSA 369:3 including a statement in reasonable detail of any
proposed additions, construction or working capital requirements together with
any proposed construction budget;
(3) Exhibit 2, showing the estimated cost of
financing including legal costs, printing, documentary tax, trustee services,
financial services;
(4) Exhibit 3, current balance sheet adjusted for
financing with journal entries and explanations for actual balances,
adjustments and balances as adjusted;
(5) Exhibit 4, current income statement adjusted
for financing including new interest, depreciation and taxes with entries for
actual, adjustments and as adjusted;
(6) Exhibit 5, statement of capitalization ratios
after giving effect to the proposed financing;
(7) Exhibit 6, copy of the purchase and sale
agreement for long term financing including any letter of commitment from a
lender stating details of financing;
(8) Exhibit 7, copy of the mortgage indenture;
(9) Exhibit 8, copy of
terms of new common or preferred stock;
(10) Resolution of petitioner's stockholders
authorizing the proposed financing; and
(11) An original and 7 copies of the petition and
exhibits.
(c) By submitting or
signing a Form F-4 petition, the persons submitting the form agree to comply
with the certification requirement as set forth in (d) below.
(d) Each utility
shall provide in connection with a petition for authority to issue securities,
a certification which shall provide as follows:
"The petitioner
utility company believes and, therefore, alleges that the securities to be
issued will be consistent with the public good and that it is entitled to issue
said securities under RSA 369 for the purposes set forth in its petition."
(e) The
certification set forth in (d) above shall be executed under oath by the
president or chief officer or treasurer or person in charge of the utility's
accounts and records whose signature shall be notarized in conformance with
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss and moved by #8244, eff 12-31-04 (from Puc
1107.03); ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
Puc 1107.03 F-16 Annual Report.
(a) Each utility
which maintains its books on a calendar year basis shall file a completed
"Annual Report" with the commission annually on or before March 31st.
(b) Each utility
which maintains its books on a fiscal year which does not coincide with a
calendar year shall file a completed "Annual Report" with the
commission no later than 90 days following the close of each fiscal year.
(c) Each utility
shall include on Form F-16 the following:
(1) List of officers, their compensation,
residence, and a list of directors with residence, length of term, term
expiration, and fees;
(2) Shareholders names and addresses and voting
powers including number of votes, number of shares owned and a schedule of
payments to individuals;
(3) Balance sheet accounts schedule including
assets and other debits and liabilities and other credits including comparison
to previous year;
(4) Fixed capital schedule including comparison
to previous year;
(5) Management fees and expenses and distribution
of accruals or payments and distribution of total charges;
(6) Non-operating property with beginning of year
balance and year end balance, property abandoned schedule and land for future
development schedule with beginning and year end balances;
(7) Investments in affiliates and miscellaneous
investments showing description of investment stock descriptions, cost to
respondent, and book value;
(8) Funds schedule showing sinking,
miscellaneous, and depreciation funds with notation of additions and
withdrawals;
(9) Prepayment schedule with beginning and year
end balance and required securities with date acquired, cost and par value;
(10) Schedule of materials and supplies, accounts
receivable and receivables from affiliated companies;
(11) Schedule of unamortized debt discount and
expenses showing debits and credits during year and a schedule of dividends
declared during year;
(12) Capital stock account with stock breakdown and
long term debt schedule with the proper breakdown;
(13) Notes payable schedule showing beginning and
end of year balance and a schedule of payables to affiliated companies;
(14) Depreciation reserve schedule showing debits and
credits and an annual depreciation charge schedule;
(15) Miscellaneous reserves with charges during
the year; a miscellaneous unadjusted credits schedule and a tax schedule;
(16) Income statement including increase or
decrease over previous year.
(17) Capital surplus account showing debits and
credits during year; earned surplus account and miscellaneous suspense
schedule;
(18) Operating revenues - composed of service
revenue and other revenues which includes a schedule or summary of operating expenses
with the increase or decrease over the previous year;
(19) Operation and maintenance accounts which
include amounts by classification and increase or decrease over previous year;
(20) Analysis of sales and new business expenses
with a breakdown into appliance sales, job work sales, and new business;
(21) Schedule of donations and gifts and accounts
charged to;
(22) Detail of fuel account broken into fuel
supplies used in production and the annual cost and average cost of each fuel
used and a schedule of materials and supplies with beginning and end-of-year
balances;
(23) Summary of steam plant operation monthly in
terms, and accounting of how steam was used and a schedule of revenue by rate
class; and
(24) Certification statement as contained in (d)
below.
(d) Each utility
shall complete and properly execute under oath a certification form as part of
its "Annual Report", which provides as follows:
"We, on our oath do
severally say that the foregoing return has been prepared under our direction,
from the original books, papers and records of said utility, that we have
carefully examined the same, and declare the same to be a complete and correct
statement of the business and affairs of said utility, in respect to each and
every matter and thing therein set forth to the best of our knowledge,
information and belief; and that the accounts and figures contained in the
foregoing report embrace all of the financial operations of said utility during
the period for which said report is made."
(e) The
certification set forth in (d) above shall be subscribed and sworn to under
oath by the utility by its president or other chief officer and by its
treasurer or other officer in charge of accounts whose signatures shall be
notarized before a notary official in conformance with
(f) By submitting or
signing the "Annual Report", the person submitting the form, on
behalf of themselves and the utility, thereby agree to comply with the
certification statement set forth in (d) above.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss and moved by #8244, eff 12-31-04 (from Puc
1107.04); ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
Puc 1107.04 F-22
Information Sheet.
(a)
Each utility shall file Form F-22:
(1) Annually; and
(2) Whenever any changes occur to the information
included in the Form F-22 filing.
(b)
Each utility shall include on form F-22 the following:
(1) The name of utility;
(2) The person's name and address to receive
annual report form;
(3) The person's name and address to receive the
utility assessment tax; and
(4) The names and titles of the principal
officers of the company.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss and moved by #8244, eff 12-31-04 (from Puc
1107.05); ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
Puc 1107.05 E-5
Utility Accident Report.
(a)
Each utility shall file a completed "NHPUC Accident Form"
within 10 working days of when an accident meeting the criteria contained in
Puc 1105.05 (a) and (c) occurs.
(b)
Each utility shall include on the "NHPUC Accident Form" the
following:
(1) Report number, date and name and address of
utility;
(2) Date and location of accident;
(3) Description of person injured including:
a. Name;
b. Age;
c. Residence;
d. Employer; and
e. Status of injured person, whether employee, person
under contract, invitee, licensee, trespasser or other;
(4) Description of injury, current condition,
duration of disability and, if applicable, anticipated return to work date;
(5) Description of cause and manner of accident;
(6) If applicable, cause of death, previous
accident report number;
(7) Designation of federal or state statute
violated, if applicable;
(8) Recommendation for guarding against
repetition of accident; and
(9) Signature and title of signatory.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss and moved by #8244, eff 12-31-04 (from Puc
1107.06); ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
Puc 1107.06 E-22 Report of Proposed Expenditures for
Additions, Extensions and Capital Improvements to Fixed Capital.
(a) Every utility
shall report to the commission when the probable cost of any addition,
extension or capital improvement to its utility plant will exceed reportable
amounts set forth in Table 5.9.1, as follows:
Table 5.9.1 Reportable
Amounts by
|
REPORTABLE AMOUNT |
|
|
$ 400,000 and under |
$5,000 |
400,001 to $
1,000,000 |
10,000 |
1,000,001 to 2,000,000 |
15,000 |
2,000,001 to 3,000,000 |
22,500 |
3,000,001 to 50,000,000 |
30,000 |
50,000,001 to 100,000,000 |
50,000 |
100,000,001 and over |
100,000 |
(b) The reportable amount
shall be based on the gross fixed capital, as of December 31st of the calendar
year immediately preceding, of each stand-alone or satellite system with an
independent source of supply.
(c) Companies with
more than $10,000,000 in fixed capital may use the next higher reporting limit
for their satellite systems.
(d) The reporting
limits shall apply to total project cost including contributions in aid of
construction.
(e) For purposes of
paragraph (a), filing with the commission shall consist of:
(1) A completed E-22 form; or
(2) With written approval of the commission, a
construction budget.
(f) The commission
shall accept a construction budget in place of individual E-22 forms if the
proposed budget meets the following criteria:
(1) It highlights all projects above the
utility's reporting limit;
(2) It contains a level of detail appropriate to
the expenditures anticipated and to identification of potential
project-specific issues; and
(3) It covers a period of no longer than one year.
(g) The commission
shall state whether the approval is for one year or a longer or indefinite
period, based on the utility's prior operation and reporting history and
projected level of expenditures.
(h) A utility shall
file an original and duplicate copy with the commission engineering department
as follows:
(1) An individual E-22 form no fewer than 30 days
before starting actual construction or expenditure of funds; or
(2) A construction budget no fewer than 60 days
before starting actual construction or expenditure of funds.
(i) A utility may
provide an additional copy of its filing and request that it be date-stamped
and returned to confirm filing.
(j) Investigation of
or comment on a construction budget or E-22 by the commission or failure of the
staff to identify prudence review issues as described in paragraph (l) below,
shall not constitute a final prudence review and the commission shall not be
precluded from analyzing the merit of any expenditure in a future rate case.
(k) An E-22 shall be
a vehicle by which the commission, pursuant to RSA 374:5, obtains information
on proposed utility expenditures and as such the commission shall not be
obligated to respond to the E-22.
(l) Commission staff
shall make a best effort to initially identify potential prudence review issues
which it could raise as part of a rate case within the time periods as follows:
(1) 20 days of receipt of an E-22;
(2) For construction budgets, the later of:
a. 60 days of receipt of the budget; or
b. 30 days prior to a stated project start date.
(m) If the cost of a
project is anticipated to fall below the applicable reporting limit but later
exceeds it, the utility shall immediately file an E-22 form at whatever time or
phase of the project it becomes apparent the limit will be exceeded. This requirement shall include projects
listed in a construction budget but not highlighted in accordance with
paragraph (f)(1).
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss and moved by #8244, eff 12-31-04 (from Puc
1107.08); ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
Puc 1107.07 E-23
Report of Interruptions of Service.
(a)
Each utility shall file Form E-23 monthly with the commission which
shall report interruptions of service.
(b)
Utilities shall include on form E-23 the following:
(1) Date;
(2) Time of interruption including start, end and
total elapsed time;
(3) Location;
(4) Number of customers; and
(5) Cause of interruption.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss and moved by #8244, eff 12-31-04 (from Puc 1107.09);
ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
Puc 1107.08 E-25
Report of Proposed Changes in Depreciation Rates.
(a)
Each utility shall file Form E-25 when it proposes any change in
depreciation rates.
(b)
Each utility shall include on Form E-25 the following:
(1) Name of the company;
(2) Date;
(3) Account number and title;
(4) Estimated life - present and proposed in
years;
(5) Net salvage - present and proposed by
percentage;
(6) Depreciation rate -present and proposed by
percentage;
(7) Net annual change in dollars; and
(8) Justification and supportive documentation
for the proposed change in depreciation rates.
Source. (See Revision Note at Chapter heading Puc
1100) #6445, eff 1-28-97; ss and moved by #8244, eff 12-31-04 (from Puc
1107.10); ss by #10307, eff 4-9-13
Appendix
Provision
of the Rule |
|
Puc 1101.01 |
RSA 365:8, XII |
Puc 1102 |
RSA 365:8, XII |
Puc 1103 |
RSA 365:8, XII; 370:2 |
Puc 1104.01 |
RSA 365:8, XII;
370:3-6 |
Puc 1104.02 |
RSA 365:8, XII; 370:7 |
Puc 1104.03 |
RSA 365:8, XII; 370:3;
374:13 |
Puc 1105 |
RSA 365:8, XII;
370:15; 374:37, 39, 48-56 |
Puc 1106.01 |
RSA 365:8, XII; 374:5,
13, 15 |
Puc 1106.02 |
RSA 365:8, XII; 374:8,
13 |
Puc 1106.03 |
RSA 365:8, XII; 374:8,
13 |
Puc 1107.01 |
RSA 365:8, XII; 374:2;
378:3 |
Puc 1107.02 |
RSA 365:8, XII; 369:1,
3 |
Puc 1107.03 |
RSA 365:8, XII; 374:4,
13 |
Puc 1107.04 |
RSA 365:8, XII; 374:4,
13, 15 |
Puc 1107.05 |
RSA 365:8, XII;
374:15, 37, 39 |
Puc 1107.06 |
RSA 365:8, XII;
374:13, 15 |
Puc 1107.07 |
RSA 365:8, XII; 374:4,
13, 15 |
Puc 1107.08 |
RSA 365:8, XII; 374:15 |