SB 224 - Under the act, a utility customer may choose between the placement or use of a traditional or an advanced meter regardless of the utility that provides service to that customer. A utility shall not take certain action relating to customer services as described in the act. A utility shall notify a customer in writing of the utility's intention to install an advanced meter at the customer's address or to upgrade the functionality of a previously installed advanced meter. Requirements for the notice are described in the act.
The Public Service Commission shall promulgate opt-out procedures to be composed of simple, easy-to-understand steps for customers to opt-out of advanced meter installations under the act. Notice and requirements of the opt-out procedure are described in the act.
Within 30 days after receiving a customer's request for an advanced meter removal from the customer's address, a utility shall remove the advanced meter and replace it with a traditional meter. A utility may charge a one-time all-inclusive fee, not to exceed $125, to remove the advanced meter. A utility shall not charge the fee if the advanced meter was installed in violation of the act. A utility shall not charge a monthly fee for the use of a traditional meter as described in the act.
A utility shall allow each customer to read and report the customer's service usage on a regular basis. Requirements for such reporting are described in the act.
Under the act, the Commission shall not approve a utility tariff that alters rates for customers that do not use an advanced meter. The Commission shall consider the ability to self-read meters as a part of any proceeding that shall fully recognize and value that customers have a legitimate interest in controlling third-party equipment on their property as described in the act.
A customer's energy use data and internet user information shall not be shared by a utility except as provided by a court order or law. Reporting requirements of customer energy use data by a utility is described in the act. A utility shall ensure that any data from an advanced meter communicated by networking technology is sufficiently secured as described in the act.
A utility shall not post a customer's energy use data or bill on the internet, except as provided under the act. A utility shall not wirelessly or remotely shut off service to a customer unless certain requirements are met as described in the act.
This act is identical to SB 1167 (2024) and substantially similar to HB 1611 (2020).
JULIA SHEVELEVA