The bill modifies regulations related to the installation of smart meters by utilities for residential customers. Key provisions include:
Opt-In Requirement:
Starting July 1, 2025, a utility cannot install a smart meter at a customer's residential property unless the customer opts in by submitting a signed request for the installation.
Uninstalling Existing Smart Meters:
If a smart meter was installed prior to July 1, 2025, without the customer's permission, the utility must uninstall the smart meter and replace it with a manual meter within 90 days of receiving a request from the customer.
Customer Request Process:
Utilities must establish an online system and provide a phone number for customers to submit requests either for receiving or uninstalling a smart meter.
The bill ensures greater customer control over whether smart meters are installed at their residences and mandates utilities to provide a way for customers to opt in or opt out of smart meter installation.
Summary
Under current law, an investor-owned qualifying retail utility
serving more than 500,000 customers (utility) may install advanced metering infrastructure (smart meter) at a customer's residential property without the property owner's permission unless the customer opts out of having the smart meter installed. The bill prohibits, beginning July 1, 2025, a utility from installing a smart meter at a customer's residential property unless the customer opts in by submitting a signed request to the utility requesting the installation of a smart meter.
The bill also requires a utility that installed a smart meter at a
customer's residential property without the customer's permission prior to July 1, 2025, to uninstall the smart meter and replace it with a manual meter within 90 days after receiving a customer's request.
The bill requires a utility to establish an online website and provide
a phone number by which customers of the utility may submit requests to receive or uninstall a smart meter.
