Business Utility Rate Review - New South Memphis Ordinance
New South Memphis, Tennessee businesses that receive electric or gas service from the municipal utility should know how to request a formal rate review or raise a billing or tariff concern with the utility operator and oversight bodies. This guide explains the procedural steps, applicable authorities, documentation to prepare, and where to submit requests so business owners can seek adjustment, clarification, or appeal of commercial rates and charges.
Authority & Who Oversees Rate Reviews
Most commercial electric and gas service in Memphis is provided by Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division (MLGW), a municipal utility whose rates and tariffs, administrative rules, and board policies govern business billing and service. To request a rate review, businesses generally start with MLGW customer relations and may escalate to the MLGW Board of Commissioners or to City of Memphis channels that oversee municipal utility governance.[1] For municipal ordinance or code provisions that authorize utility governance and board powers, consult the City code and charter provisions that reference municipal utilities and board authority.[3]
How to Request a Rate Review
Follow these practical steps to request a formal review of business electric or gas service rates:
- Contact MLGW Customer Service in writing with account number, service address, and a clear statement of the requested review or correction; include supporting billing period and meter data.
- Ask for the specific tariff, rate schedule, or commercial rate class applied to the account and request a written explanation of the charge calculation.
- Request that MLGW place the matter on the Board of Commissioners agenda if the issue requires a formal tariff interpretation or rate adjustment.[2]
- If unresolved, file an administrative complaint as specified by the municipal procedures or request review through the City Council or the municipal channel that reviews municipal utility governance.
Penalties & Enforcement
Rate reviews and billing disputes are administrative matters rather than criminal offenses; civil penalties for violations of municipal utility rules or local ordinances are set out in the controlling municipal code, tariff schedules, or board rules. Specific dollar fines, escalation amounts, and time-based continuing penalties are not specified on the cited municipal pages and must be confirmed with the cited authority.[3]
- Fines or monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page.
- Escalation: first, repeat, or continuing offence handling not specified on the cited page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: administrative orders, corrective directives, or service restrictions may be issued under board or ordinance authority; specific remedies must be confirmed with the utility or code pages.
- Enforcer: MLGW and the MLGW Board of Commissioners handle tariff enforcement and compliance; City of Memphis oversight may apply for municipal governance matters.[1]
Applications & Forms
There is no single statewide form for a rate review of a municipal utility; businesses must use the utility's customer complaint or commercial service channels. MLGW publishes business service contacts and may accept written appeals, formal complaint letters, or requests to place items on the Board agenda. If no form is published, state "not specified on the cited page" and follow the utility's contact instructions.[1]
Action Steps for Businesses
- Gather 12 months of billing history, meter readings, and any evidence of unusual usage.
- Submit a written request to MLGW Customer Service and request the tariff or rate schedule citation applied to your account.
- Request placement on the MLGW Board agenda if the customer service response is insufficient and cite commercial impacts.
- File an appeal or administrative complaint within the time limits stated in any enforcement notice or as advised by the utility; if no time limit is given, ask the office for the deadline in writing.
FAQ
- How long does a rate review take?
- Timelines vary; initial customer-service responses typically occur within business days but board-level reviews depend on agenda scheduling and are not specified on the cited pages.[1]
- Can a business get a temporary stay on charges during a review?
- Temporary stays or billing adjustments during review are decided by MLGW or the board on a case-by-case basis and are not specified on the cited pages.
- Where do I appeal a final administrative decision?
- Appeals or requests for reconsideration are typically directed to the MLGW Board of Commissioners and, for municipal governance issues, to the City of Memphis channels indicated in the municipal code.[2]
How-To
- Compile account number, service address, most recent 12 months of bills, and a clear written statement of the billing or rate concern.
- Send the documentation to MLGW Customer Service by the official contact method and request a written tariff explanation.
- If unresolved, request formal review by the MLGW Board of Commissioners and ask for placement on a board agenda.
- If the board decision is unsatisfactory, use the municipal appeal channels described by City code or seek the designated administrative review route.
Key Takeaways
- Start with MLGW Customer Service and request tariff citations and written explanations.
- Escalate to the MLGW Board of Commissioners for formal tariff interpretations and adjustments.
- Keep complete billing records and submit written, dated requests to preserve appeal rights.
Help and Support / Resources
- MLGW Contact & Customer Service
- MLGW Board of Commissioners
- City of Memphis Code of Ordinances (municipal code)
- City of Memphis - City Council