PUC staff outlines smart meter opt-out
A report from the Maine Public Utilities Commission staff lays out two possibilities to allow customers to opt out of Central Maine Power Co.'s controversial smart meter program.
Both options included in the PUC advisory staff analysis require customers to pay in order to opt out of the wireless device, according to The Forecaster. One option would allow customers to keep their old meters for an initial charge of $40 and a monthly $12 fee, while the other would include the smart meter installation, but disable its ability to transmit wirelessly. Customers would pay $20 initially and $10.50 a month for that option. The report estimates that about 1.5%, or about 9,000, of CMP customers slated to receive smart meters would choose to opt out.
The report is the latest in the PUC's investigation of CMP's smart meter program, and must still be reviewed by commissioners. The PUC launched the investigation in January following customer complaints, and is determining whether CMP's refusal to let customers opt out is "unreasonable." CMP has argued that allowing customers to keep their old meters is too expensive and undermines the benefits of the new wireless system. The wireless meters are intended to save both the utility and consumers money, but homeowners have complained about the meters' safety and health side effects. Parties in the case, including CMP and complainants, will discuss the report May 2, according to the paper.
Earlier this month, the PUC ruled on a second complaint, rejecting a request to do a second review of CMP's decision to upgrade to smart meters.
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