Found a doozy this week in Nashville. Client has been billed on TVA secondary rates for 18 months despite taking service at 12.47kV through their own transformer. TVA Schedule GSA-3 vs GSA-2 - that's a 0.6¢/kWh difference plus $2.10/kW demand charge variance. Total overcharge is $47,200. Anyone dealt with TVA voltage classification disputes before? Their tariff language seems pretty clear but they're pushing back hard on the refund.
TVA Primary Voltage Classification Error - $47K Impact
Paula, I've seen this exact issue with TVA in Knoxville. The key is proving continuous service at primary voltage. Get the metering records and transformer ownership documentation. TVA usually caves once you show them their own metering data confirming 12.47kV delivery. File a formal complaint with the Tennessee Public Utility Commission if they won't budge.
Had similar situation with Dominion Energy here in Richmond. Utility was classifying customer as secondary despite 34.5kV service. Took 6 months and a PUC complaint but we got full refund plus interest. The smoking gun was their own engineering drawings showing primary voltage delivery. Document everything and don't let them wear you down.
This is why I always verify the voltage classification on every new client. Pennsylvania utilities tried this on me twice. PPL had a hotel on wrong rate for 3 years - $89,000 refund. The tariff language usually states "service voltage" not "utilization voltage" which is the critical distinction.
Sylvia's absolutely right about service vs utilization voltage. Duke Energy Ohio tried that argument with me last year. Customer took 13.2kV service but used 480V after their transformer. Duke wanted to bill secondary rates. Had to quote their own tariff back to them - took 3 phone calls but they finally corrected it retroactively.
Thanks everyone. I've got the engineering diagrams and 18 months of interval data showing 12.47kV delivery. TVA initially said they'd "look into it" but now they're claiming the customer signed a secondary service agreement. Problem is the customer owns the transformer and takes delivery at primary - the service agreement shouldn't override the actual voltage delivered.
Paula, service agreements can be misleading if the sales rep didn't understand the technical setup. Idaho Power made this mistake with one of my clients. The contract said secondary but the physical installation was clearly primary. We prevailed by showing that the actual service delivery controlled over the paperwork error.
Warren's right - contracts don't override physics. If they're delivering at 12.47kV to customer-owned transformation, that's primary service regardless of what the paperwork says. Alabama Power tried this same game with me. Focus on the technical facts and threaten regulatory action. Most utilities would rather settle than explain to regulators why they misclassified a customer for 18 months.
Any update on this Paula? Duke Energy Carolinas has been more reasonable lately on voltage classification issues. Curious if TVA is being stubborn because they know they screwed up big time. $47K is a lot of money to give back without a fight.
Wayne, filed the PUC complaint yesterday after TVA rejected our second formal request. Their response was basically "customer agreed to secondary service" despite all the technical evidence. Sometimes you just have to let the regulators sort it out. Will update when we hear back.
This thread is a perfect example of why we need to verify voltage classification on every account. The utilities know exactly what voltage they're delivering but somehow these "errors" always favor them. Keep fighting Paula - $47K is worth the regulatory hassle.