treitler_dh.doc

June 9, 1999

Marc Treitler
7250 Engineer Rd., Suite H
San Diego, CA 92111

RE: Submetering

Dear Mr. Treitler:

In your letter dated June 7, 1999, you inquired about submetering policies adopted by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. The Idaho PUC does not have any rules or policies regarding submetering – where a landlord equipped with one master meter installs individual meters for each tenant. Under Idaho law, such an arrangement might result in the customer with the master meter being regulated as a utility.

Generally, utilities in Idaho require that customers be individually metered. There are, however, instances where “master meters” are used such as mobile home parks or transient-type facilities. I am unsure of the exact methodology of how the master customer allocates the utility bill among the tenants.

I have included for your information the Commission’s rules regarding master metering for electric utilities.

Sincerely,

Donald L. Howell, II
Deputy Attorney General

Enclosure

bls/L:treitler_dh