PUC rejects review of smart meter process
State utilities regulators have ruled on one complaint filed against Central Maine Power Co., rejecting a request to do a second review of the company's decision to upgrade to smart meters.
The Maine Public Utilities Commission has issued a tentative order against reviewing the process that the utility used to decide to transition to a wireless system, according to the Portland Press Herald. In its ruling, the PUC said CMP performed an extensive analysis of the costs and benefits associated with the wireless technology before rolling out the $200 million project to upgrade 600,000 customers' electricity meters. The PUC is still examining whether CMP's stance that customers cannot opt out of the upgrade is "unreasonable, insufficient or unjustly discriminatory." CMP has said that allowing customers to keep their old meters or use another technology would be too costly and undermine the efficacy of the system. However, numerous residents have spoken out against the meters, saying they pose health risks. The PUC has opted not to investigate the meters' impacts on health.
Meanwhile, two legislative bills related to smart meters are currently under review. One would ban the meters for a year, while the other would allow customers to choose an alternative that has yet to be decided.
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