How far back New York utilities refund overcharges
No fixed period in the statute; the Commission may require a refund or credit of any overpayment. Here is the rule behind it, what starts or limits the clock, and what it means for a business with a billing error in New York.
New York at a glance
| New York | |
|---|---|
| Rule | Public Service Law §118(3); 16 NYCRR 13.9 for non-residential backbills |
| How far back refunds go | No fixed period in the statute; the Commission may require a refund or credit of any overpayment |
| What starts or limits the clock | Backbills to non-residential customers are limited to 12 months when the utility caused the error |
| Interest | Decided case by case |
| Regulator | New York utility commission |
What it means for a refund claim in New York
- Without a fixed period, the evidence of when the error began carries more weight.
- 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 New York with every other state.
Sources
- Public Service Law §118(3); 16 NYCRR 13.9 for non-residential backbills
- Pennsylvania PUC national list of utility commissions