<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="4-208" title_number="4" title_name="Rate Regulation" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Rate Setting Proceedings">
  <level label="a">
    <text>This section applies to a public service company that:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>provides gas or electric services;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>is subject to a cost allocation manual approved by the Commission;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <level label="i">
        <text>engages in an unregulated business activity; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>has a subsidiary that engages in an unregulated business activity; and</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>does not meet the standards for rate proceedings provided for under § 4-207 of this subtitle.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A public service company subject to this section shall file an independent audit opinion prepared by an entity approved by the Commission on the earliest of:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>once every 2 years; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>when the public service company:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>files a request for a change in its base rate under this subtitle; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>has a major change in its corporate organization or structure as determined by the Commission.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The independent auditor shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>examine:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>compliance by the public service company with policies and procedures of the public service company’s cost allocation manual;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>proper allocation of costs to an affiliate of the public service company in accordance with the manual; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>appropriate charging of costs and transactions relative to the manual to the public service company and its affiliates; and</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>identify adjustments that should be made:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>to the manual consistent with prior Commission rulings; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>to the public service company or to an affiliate of the public service company relative to the examination of the allocation of costs and charging of costs and transactions.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The cost of the independent audit opinion filed under subsection (b) of this section shall be borne by the stockholders of the public service company.</text>
  </level>
</section>
