Assignment of Proceeding

Michael R. Peevey is the assigned Commissioner and Amy C. Yip-Kikugawa is the assigned Administrative Law Judge in this proceeding.

Findings of Fact

1. The issue of whether electric and gas utility customers should be provided an option to opt-out of installation of a wireless smart meter is not unique to SCE's service territory.

2. Joint Applicants' proposed requirements for an opt-out program include allowing customers who currently have a wireless smart meter to reinstall an analog meter.

3. An analog meter is only one possible alternative to a wireless smart meter.

4. Other possible alternatives to an analog meter are: a digital meter with no radio installed; a smart meter with the radio transmission turned off; and, a wired smart meter.

5. SCE is the party in the best position to provide information in the first instance on the technological feasibility and costs to offer an alternative to the wireless smart meter.

6. The utilities were directed to consider and be prepared to discuss cost estimates for the various opt-out options at the September 14th workshop.

7. The Motion to Amend Application seeks to remove the County of Santa Barbara, Montecito Association and Stop Smart Meters as Joint Applicants and to make clarifications and non-substantive edits to the Joint Application.

Conclusions of Law

1. It is reasonable to consider whether SCE should offer its customers an alternative to the wireless smart meter.

2. The opt-out alternative or alternatives adopted should be technologically feasible, offered at a reasonable cost to those customers opting out and consistent with the state's goals to deploy a Smart Grid.

3. It would be unreasonable to adopt Joint Applicants' proposed minimum requirements for an opt-out option at this time.

4. SCE should be directed to submit a proposal for customers to opt-out of installation of a wireless smart meter.

5. SCE should be directed to provide analysis on the technological feasibility and cost to offer each of the possible opt-out alternatives.

6. It is reasonable to require SCE to submit its opt-out proposal within 14 days of the effective date of this decision.

7. The Commission can order SCE to file an opt-out proposal without modifying D.08-09-039.

8. Joint Applicants' request to modify D.08-09-039 should be denied.

9. The Motion to Amend Application should be granted, effective immediately.

ORDER

IT IS ORDERED that:

1. Application 11-07-020 is granted in part and denied in part.

2. No later than 14 days after the effective date of this decision, Southern California Edison Company (SCE) shall file a proposal to provide residential SCE customers an alternative to the installation of a digital electric smart meter that transmits customer usage data through radio transmission. The proposal shall include analysis on the technological feasibility and cost to offer each of the following types of alternatives to installation of a wireless smart meter:

a. Analog (electromechanical) meter.

b. Digital meter with no radio installed.

c. Smart meter with radio transmission turned off.

d. Wired smart meter.

3. For each of the alternatives listed in Ordering Paragraph 2 above, Southern California Edison Company shall include the following analysis:

a. Whether the radio transmission capability of the electric smart meters can be turned off remotely and the associated cost to include that feature.

b. Whether the radio transmission capability of the electric smart meters can be programmed to turn on and transmit data at a specified time each month and the associated cost to include that feature.

c. A comparison of costs to implement each of the alternatives:

i. If an analog meter is currently installed.

ii. If a wireless smart meter is currently installed.

d. A comparison of costs when a meter is read:

i. By a utility employee every month.

ii. By the utility employee on a quarterly basis, with the remaining months being read by the customer.

iii. By the utility employee on a semi-annual basis, with the remaining months being read by the customer.

e. Identification of all costs that would be incurred regardless of how data for the alternative is collected (i.e., read by utility employee, read by customer or read via "snap read").

f. The proposed upfront and monthly fees/rates to be paid by customers under each of the opt-out alternatives. The proposed fees/rates shall also specify the discounted fees/rates to be charged to customers enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy Program.

4. The Joint Applicants' request to modify Decision 08-09-039 is denied.

5. The Motion to Amend Application is granted.

6. Application 11-07-020 remains open.

This order is effective today.

Dated November 10, 2011, at San Francisco, California.

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