Update: The applications for rehearing filed by Duke, FirstEnergy, and DP&L were granted in part and denied in part. The Commission found that the definition of “advanced meter” should be revised to indicate that an advanced meter includes only meters with two-way communication capabilities. The Commission also found that it was appropriate for the definition of “advanced meter[s]” to exclude meters with ERT and AMR technology. Despite these findings, the Commission stated that EDUs should still be willing to work with customers on a case by case basis, regardless of whether their meters are advanced meters, in order to arrive at mutually agreeable solutions to customer meter concerns. For example, EDUs should recognize advanced meter opt-out service for ERT and AMR meters as one of many solutions.
The Commission denied Duke’s request for utilities to be able to turn off an advanced meter’s communication function, rather than have the utility install a meter lacking communication hardware/software. The Commission stated that turning off the communication function is an option if the customer agrees to it, but the customer has to have the option of having a replacement meter installed.
The Commission clarified that the definition of “customer” includes both residential and industrial customers, but the rule requires utilities to file a tariff allowing residential customers to opt-out. The Commission adopted clarifying language for the purpose of indicating that the advanced meter opt-out provisions apply only to residential customers.
The Commission found that electric utilities’ riders for advanced meter deployment should recover the costs of advanced meter deployment and redeployment, and advanced meter opt-out service customers should be required to pay the rider.
The Commission clarified that utilities are required to give one-day notice prior to the installation of an advanced meter, but the utilities do not need to provide such notice when replacing a faulty advanced meter or when repairing an advanced meter.
