CHAPTER IV SPECIAL REGULATIONS - GAS UTILITIES ONLY. Records. Each gas utility shall maintain and keep the following records:

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1 CHAPTER IV SPECIAL REGULATIONS - GAS UTILITIES ONLY Section 401. Records. Each gas utility shall maintain and keep the following records: (a) Monthly record of the heating value of gas produced or purchased and gas sent out, showing separately in such records the quantity of gas piped out of the State of Wyoming, if any, and the quantity brought into the State. Deviation from this provision shall be by Commission approval only. (b) Records shall be kept for a period of three (3) years on the pressure supplied to distribution systems from plants or district regulators, and they may be in the form of pressure gauge charts. (c) Each utility shall regularly make records, with recording gas-pressure gauges, of the pressure in various parts of its distribution system. The charts or records thus obtained shall bear the date and show the place where the pressure was taken. (d) Suitable maps or other records shall be kept on file showing the size, character and location of each street main, district regulator, street valve and drip, and customers services. These records must be kept current within one-hundred eighty (180) days of actual construction. (e) A record to be known as the meter record shall be kept and shall indicate for each meter owned or used by any utility the date of purchase or other acquisition, its identifying number, type, capacity, name of manufacturer, its current location and the results of the last three tests. (f) Each utility shall adopt, subject to the approval of the Commission, a standard form for recording the results of heating value tests. Each determination of heating value shall be recorded originally upon the form adopted for that purpose, and the records shall be retained for a period of not less than one (l) year. Deviation from this provision shall be by Commission approval only. Each utility shall file a quarterly report containing the above information in the form set forth in Chapter IX, Section 901 (i) (Form No. 9). Section 402. Gas Sales by Meter Only. All gas sold by a utility shall be charged for by meter measurements. Unless otherwise authorized by the Commission each utility shall provide and install at its own expense and shall continue to own, maintain, and operate all equipment necessary for the regulation and measurement of gas to its customers, served in accordance with its Rules and Regulations on file with the Commission. 4-1

2 Section 403. Meter Types. (a) No utility shall furnish, set up or put in use any gas-service meter which is not of standard type generally recognized and approved by the gas industry; provided, however, special meters not necessarily conforming to such standard type may be used for investigation or experimental purposes. (b) Each utility shall maintain such station meters and instruments as may be necessary to obtain records of the quantities of gas produced or purchased and gas distributed as required by Section 402. (c) Check meter or meters, when installed for the convenience of the customers, may be procured from the utility, and shall be installed and maintained at the expense of the customer. (d) No utility shall use prepayment meters except in special cases or for clearly defined special classes of service and under special rate schedules authorized by the Commission. Section 404. Meter Testing Equipment. Each utility furnishing metered gas service shall maintain or have access to the equipment and facilities necessary for accurately testing all types and sizes of meters employed for the measurement of gas to its customers unless arrangements approved by the Commission shall have been made to have such testing done elsewhere. This equipment shall be maintained in good condition and correct adjustment so that it shall be capable of determining the accuracy of any service meter to within one-half of one percent. Section 405. Meter Accuracy. Every gas-service meter, whether new or repaired, shall be in good order and shall be correct to within one percent before being first installed for the use of any customer. (a) For the purpose of determining compliance with this rule, the registration of a displacement meter shall be determined by one test at a rate of flow of between fifteen percent (15%) and thirty percent (30%) of the rated capacity of that meter. (b) All tests to determine the accuracy of any gas-service meter shall be made with a meter prover, unless, because of the unusual capacity or construction of the meter, such method of test shall be considered impracticable and another approved method of test shall have been adopted by the utility. Section 406. Location of Customer Meters. No meter shall be installed in any location where it may be unnecessarily exposed to damage or in any inaccessible location, except that meters may be installed indoors at the discretion of the utility. Subject to this provision, meters shall be installed in accordance with the utility's established practice as filed with the Commission. Section 407. Utility Meter Testing Program. Each utility shall file a meter testing program for Commission approval or shall test meters remaining in service every ten (10) years. 4-2

3 Section 408. Customer Meter Test Requests. If any customer requests a test of the accuracy of the utility s meter on his premises the following provisions shall apply: (a) If the utility is required under its established testing schedule, to make a test of the meter within a period of twelve (12) months subsequent to the date of the request, it shall make the test requested within a reasonable time without charge to customer. (b) If the utility is not required to make a test of said meter, within said period of twelve (12) months, it shall notify the customer that upon receipt from the customer of an amount equal to the estimated cost of the test the utility will make the test. If when tested the meter is found to be in error by more than two percent (2%) under the standard conditions of testing, the utility shall refund to customer the amount advanced. If the meter is not found to be in error by more than two percent (2%), the utility may retain the amount advanced by the customer for the test. The customer may be present when the utility conducts the test or may send an expert or other representative appointed by the customer. (c) Following the completion of any such test the utility shall promptly advise the customer requesting it, the date of removal of the meter, the date tested and the result of the test. (d) If any gas-service meter tested is found to be more than two percent (2%) in error, either fast or slow, proper correction shall be made of previous readings for the period of six (6) months immediately preceding the removal of such meter from service for the test, or for the time the meter was in service, but not exceeding six (6) months whichever is shorter. If the meter shall have been shown to be in error by such test, adjusted bills shall be rendered. No refund is required from the utility except to the customer last served by the meter prior to the testing. If a gas meter is found not to register for any period, the utility shall make a charge for the gas used, but not metered, based on the amounts used under similar conditions during periods preceding or subsequent thereto, or during corresponding periods in previous years. (d) If any gas-service meter tested is found to be more than two percent (2%) in error, either fast or slow, proper correction shall be made of previous readings for the period of six (6) months immediately preceding the removal of such meter from service for the test, or for the time the meter was in service, but not exceeding six (6) months whichever is shorter. If the meter shall have been shown to be in error by such test, adjusted bills shall be rendered. NO refund is required from the utility except to the customer last served by the meter prior to the testing. If a gas meter is found not to register for any period, the utility shall make a charge for the gas used, but not metered, based on the amounts used under similar conditions during periods preceding or subsequent thereto, or during corresponding periods in previous years. Section 409. Metering for Customer Understanding. Each service meter of the displacement type shall indicate clearly the cubic feet of gas registered. Where gas is metered under high pressure, or where the quantity is determined by calculation from recording devices, the utility shall upon request supply the customer with information needed to make clear the method by which the quantity is determined. 4-3

4 Section 410. Meters, When Read and Billing. Service meters shall be read at monthly intervals, and as nearly as possible on the corresponding day of each meter reading period, unless otherwise authorized by the Commission. Bills shall be rendered periodically, and they shall show the readings of the meter at the beginning and end of the period for which the bill is rendered, the date of the meter readings, the number of cubic feet of gas supplied, and reference to such other information as may be necessary to enable the customer to readily recompute the amount of his bill. Each bill shall bear upon its face the latest date on which it may be paid without penalty. Section 411. Conditions for Testing. (a) For the purpose of testing the gas under these rules, a standard cubic foot of gas shall be the amount of gas which occupies the volume of one cubic foot, dry at 60 F and under a pressure equal to that of 30 inches of Mercury at a temperature of 32 F (14.73 psia). (b) For the purpose of measurement of gas to a customer, a cubic foot of gas shall be the amount of gas which occupies a volume of one cubic foot under the conditions existing in such customer s meter as and where installed. However, when gas is metered at a pressure in excess of four ounces above average local atmospheric pressure, a suitable correction factor shall be applied to provide for measurement of gas as if delivered and metered at a pressure of four ounces above average local atmospheric pressure. (c) Each utility, unless specifically excused by the Commission, shall provide or have access to such laboratory meter-testing equipment and other equipment and facilities as may be necessary to make the tests required of it by these rules or other orders of the Commission. The apparatus and equipment as provided shall be subject to the approval of the Commission, and it shall be available at all times for the inspection or use of any member or authorized representative of the Commission. (d) Each utility shall make or have made such tests as are prescribed under these rules with such frequency and in such manner and at such places as are herein provided or as may be approved or ordered by the Commission. Unless otherwise directed by the Commission, the utility shall use the methods currently set by the National Bureau of Standards, or as may be subsequently amended. Section 412. Purity and Heating Value Requirements. (a) All natural gas distributed in the State of Wyoming shall conform with the following requirements: (i) it shall contain not more than one (1) grain of Hydrogen Sulphide per 100 standard cubic feet (15.87 parts per million); (ii) it shall contain not more than 2.5 mole percent of Oxygen; 4-4

5 (iii) it shall contain not more than seven (7) pounds water vapor, per million standard cubic feet, and (iv) it shall have a heating value of not less than 950 British Thermal Units per standard cubic foot. rules. (b) Heating values of gas shall be determined as specified in Section 411 of these Section 413. Deviation. Heating Value and Compatibility, Monitoring, Reporting and Allowable (a) Each utility selling gas shall provide and maintain or have access to a calorimeter or chromatograph of a standard type and all necessary accessories therefor, unless provision is otherwise made, with the approval of the Commission, for the regular determination of the heating value of gas sold. (b) Every utility selling natural gas shall determine the heating value of the gas at monthly intervals, with reports thereon available within 45 days after the end of each monthly interval, unless, because of uniformity of the sources of supply, such frequent testing shall be deemed unnecessary and a longer interval shall be approved by the Commission. However, if the heating value of the natural gas purchased by a utility is regularly determined and reported to the utility under conditions satisfactory to the Commission, and if the composition of the gas is not subsequently modified (by diluting, mixing, heating, extracting any of the constituents except hydrogen sulphide, or otherwise), the utility shall not be required to redetermine its heating value. Odorizing shall not be considered as modifying the composition of the gas. (c) The utility shall report to the Commission each quarter the average monthly heating value as supplied to each distribution system or zone during the quarter, including the numerical index of the ratio of the average heating value divided by the square root of the specific gravity of the gas, i.e. the Wobbe Index. A deviation of more than six percent (6%) from a utility s established Wobbe Index is a change in service. The established Wobbe Index shall be determined by each utility for a test year ending December Section 414. Change in Service. In case any substantial change is made by the utility in the composition of the gas, the pressure, or other service conditions which would affect the efficiency of operation or adjustment of appliances, the existing appliances of customers in the district affected shall be inspected and shall be readjusted if practicable by the utility for the new conditions without charge. Section 415. Service Connection and Main Extensions. Each utility shall file with the Commission its established service connection and main extension policy, subject to the following: 4-5

6 (a) Unless otherwise provided by law or authorized by the Commission, extensions for general domestic and commercial service shall be made in accordance with the following provisions: whenever an extension of a utility s distribution system is necessary in order that an applicant or group of applicants may receive service within the territory within which the utility is authorized to operate, and provided the reasonable use of service and prospective revenue therefrom is of such character and permanency as to justify the installation, maintenance and operation of the extension, the utility shall extend its mains without cost to the applicants unless the cost of the extension shall exceed an amount to be designated by the utility as.the limit of free extension.. (b) Extensions of utility s distribution system to supply special commercial and industrial service shall be made in accordance with provisions of special contracts filed with the Commission. (c) In the case of temporary service for short term use, as distinguished from seasonal use, the utility may require the customer to pay all costs of making the service connection and removing the material after the service has been discontinued, or to pay a fixed amount in advance to cover such expense; provided, however, that if the material is removed, the customer shall be credited with the reasonable salvage which the utility shall receive on discontinuance of service. (d) For purposes of this Section and Sections 416, 417, 418 and 419 the following definitions shall apply: (i) Main means a distribution line that serves as a common source of supply for more than one service line; (ii) Service line means a distribution line that transports gas from a common source of supply to the connection to a customer s piping, where it first enters the building wall or to the building wall or roof top or other exterior connections. Section 416. Gas Utilities Safety Standards. All instruments, equipment, plant and facilities furnished, employed or used by any gas utility, shall in all respects be adequate, efficient, and the construction, operation and use thereof shall be such as shall prevent injury to persons or property and promote the safety, health, comfort and convenience of its patrons, employees and the general public, and to this end the Commission adopts as the standard for such construction, operation and maintenance the current edition of the ANSI Standard Code for Pressure Piping (ANSI B31 Code) and the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code as published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Deviation from the codes adopted hereby will be permitted only as directed and ordered by the Commission. In case of conflict between codes and standards the more rigid code or standard will apply. Section 417. Minimum Gas Pipeline Safety Standards. All pipelines and pipeline facilities for the transportation of gas within the State of Wyoming shall conform with and be subject to all the provisions of Sections through and including and through and 4-6

7 including , and all appendixes incorporated therein, of the Federal Minimum Safety Standards promulgated by the United States Department of Transportation by dictate of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, which standards appear in Part 191 and 192 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations as published in the Federal Register on August 19, 1970 (35 C.F.R ). All amendments, supplements, extensions and revisions of the said Federal Minimum Safety Standards shall, upon their respective effective dates, be deemed adopted by the Commission for the purposes of this rule. Section 418. Gas Leak Reports. All gas utilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission shall file gas leak reports on forms prescribed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Section 419. Responsibility of Gas Utility. The gas utility is responsible for the operation and maintenance, including leak surveys and cathodic protection, of distribution and service lines in accordance with the codes listed herein. Cost of repairs to a customer owned service line will be borne by the customer or property owner. Section 420. Additional Gas Utility Service Interruption Reporting. (a) The following shall be reported to the Commission within two (2) hours of occurrence by contacting the Commission s Service Interruption Reporting Telephone number (SIRT) and providing all available information: (i) Any incident reportable to the National Reporting Center as defined as an incident in 49 CFR 191.3, as amended; (ii) Any service interruption, planned or otherwise occurring, that results in the loss of service to twenty-five (25) gas meters or customers, whichever is greater; or (iii) Any evacuation that displaces twenty-five (25) people or more. (b) Each natural gas utility shall file with the Commission quarterly reports of all major, minor and sustained service interruptions, as defined by 49 CFR 191.3, as amended, within thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter in electronic form via to the Service Interruption Quarterly Reporting address provided on the Commission s web site. The reports shall be made on Form No. 15, the electronic spreadsheet provided in Section 901(o) and available on the Commission s web site. (c) Gas Utility Contact Information. Each gas utility shall submit confidentially to the Commission, by January 1 and July 1 of each year, a current list of contact name(s) and telephone number(s) to be used when a service interruption occurs. The named individual(s) shall be knowledgeable about service interruption(s), the estimated duration and the possible cause of service interruptions. The gas utility shall ensure that one (1) or more of the named individuals is available to confer with the Commission at all times. All contact information shall be submitted to the Commission in writing and shall be updated as necessary. The Commission shall be affirmatively notified if there is no change in the contact information provided by the 4-7

8 dates listed above. The utility shall notify the Commission immediately of the pertinent contact information if it designates a special incident supervisor for a service interruption. 4-8