Sec. 733.1. Scope of this Part

(a) The regulations in this Part apply to all books of account and other records prepared by or on behalf of every electric, gas, steam and waterworks corporation and municipal electric, gas and steam utility (hereafter, in this part referred to as a public utility or municipality). See item 64 of the schedule of records and periods of retention (section 733.15 of this Part) for those records that come into the possession of the public utility or municipality in connection with the acquisition of property, such as purchase, consolidation, merger, etc.

(b) The regulations in this Part shall not be construed as excusing compliance with any other lawful requirement for the preservation of records for periods longer than those prescribed herein.

(c) Unless otherwise specified in the schedule of records and periods of retention, duplicate copies of records may be destroyed at any time; provided, however, that such duplicate copies contain no significant information not shown on the originals.

(d) Records other than those listed in the schedule of records and periods of retention may be destroyed at the option of the public utility or municipality; provided, however, that records which are used in lieu of those listed shall be preserved for the periods prescribed for the records used for substantially similar purposes. And, provided further, that retention of records pertaining to added services, functions, plant, etc., the establishment of which cannot be presently foreseen, shall conform to the principles embodied herein.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of the schedule of records and periods of retention, the commission may, upon the request of the company, authorize a shorter period of retention for any record listed therein upon a showing by the company that preservation of such record for a longer period is not necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors or consumers.