How far back Alabama utilities refund overcharges
Adjustments for billing inaccuracies, including meter and billing-equipment errors, cover the most recent 36 months. Here is the rule behind it, what starts or limits the clock, and what it means for a business with a billing error in Alabama.
Alabama at a glance
| Alabama | |
|---|---|
| Rule | Ala. Admin. Code r. 770-X-3-.15 (electric billing inaccuracies) |
| How far back refunds go | Adjustments for billing inaccuracies, including meter and billing-equipment errors, cover the most recent 36 months |
| What starts or limits the clock | From the date the error began if it can be fixed, within the most recent 36 months; refunds are paid as a credit or lump sum within 45 days of confirmation |
| Interest | Over-billings caused by the utility's failure are refunded with interest at the customer-deposit rate |
| Regulator | Alabama utility commission |
What it means for a refund claim in Alabama
- The 36-month limit applies to both refunds and back-billing, except in cases of tampering.
- The rule is in the Commission's Special Electric Rules; gas meter adjustments follow the General Rules (770-X-1-.15).
- Read the utility's tariff rules on billing and meter error too: tariffs often repeat or extend the commission rule.
- Municipal utilities and cooperatives usually set their own billing rules.
Discovery Energy reviews 36 to 48 months of history on every account and pursues the longest period each jurisdiction allows. See how overcharge recovery works, or compare Alabama with every other state.
Sources
- Ala. Admin. Code r. 770-X-3-.15 (electric billing inaccuracies)
- Pennsylvania PUC national list of utility commissions