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W A T E R E N E R G Y L I F E <br />RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES <br />P <br />UB LIC UTILITIES Board Memorandum <br />BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DATE: JUNE 12, 2023 <br />SUBJECT: BILLING DISPUTE APPEAL OF DETERMINATION FOR ELECTRIC METER <br />READINGS AT 5004 GOLDEN AVENUE <br />ISSUE: <br />Consider the appeal from Booker T. Cole of 5004 Golden Avenue, Riverside, 92505, in response <br />to the Public Utilities Department determination of findings respective of the electric billing dispute <br />for electric service billed on February 13, 2023 and March 15, 2023, for the account at the same <br />address. <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />That the Board of Public Utilities deny the appeal from Booker T. Cole of 5004 Golden Avenue, <br />Riverside, 92505, for electric service billed on February 13, 2023 and March 15, 2023, for the <br />account at the same address and uphold the Public Utilities Department findings that the billings <br />were calculated accurately. <br />LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: <br />The process for customers to dispute correctness of any water or electric service bill is directed <br />in the Water Rule 17 and Electric Rule 21 (Attachment 1) for the Disputed Bill Appeal Processes <br />and Water Rule 6 and Electric Rule 6 (Attachment 2) for Meter Investigations and Adjustments of <br />Bills. <br />BACKGROUND: <br />On February 24, 2023, Booker T. Cole spoke with Customer Service requesting review of <br />electrical usage, reporting that the address had experienced flickering lights and partial power <br />since December. Staff advised that an investigation would be conducted at the location. <br />On February 27, 2023, meter technicians tested electric meter 26113948 and consequently <br />followed up directly with him on March 2, 2023. He disclosed that after receiving a large natural <br />gas bill in January he purchased a 1500 -watt electric space heater as an alternative heat source. <br />While onsite, technicians observed and showed him the meter disk emulator with the space heater <br />both on and off and explained that the space heater was likely the source of the increased usage. <br />The meter disk emulator provides a visual indication of the rate of energy usage. The emulator <br />