2. Background
On March 24, 2011, the Utility Consumers' Action Network (UCAN) filed the instant application seeking modification of Decision (D.) 07-04-043. That decision had approved a settlement between San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E), the Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA) and UCAN concerning SDG&E's proposed Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project. UCAN's application requests that D.07-04-043 be modified to order SDG&E to develop a proposal or proposals to provide residential SDG&E customers an alternative to the installation of a digital electric or gas smart meter that transmits customer usage data through radio transmission.1 The offering of such an alternative has been referred to as an "opt-out" option.
SDG&E filed a timely protest to UCAN's application. DRA filed a timely response. Prehearing conferences were held on May 6, 2011 and July 27, 2011. Finally, a combined workshop to consider opt-out options for all four investor-owned utilities was held on September 14, 2011.
1 These meters are also referred to as "wireless smart meters."
