ALJ/AYK/jt2 Date of Issuance 4/30/2012
Decision 12-04-018 April 19, 2012
BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Application of Consumers Power Alliance, Public Citizen, Coalition of Energy Users, Eagle Forum of California, Neighborhood Defense League of California, Santa Barbara Tea Party, Concerned Citizens of La Quinta, Citizens Review Association, Palm Springs Patriots Coalition Desert Valley Tea Party, Menifee Tea Party - Hemet Tea Party - Temecula Tea Party, Rove Enterprises, Inc., Schooner Enterprises, Inc., Eagle Forum of San Diego, Southern Californians For Wired Solutions To Smart Meters, and Burbank Action For Modification of D.08-09-039 and A Commission Order Requiring Southern California Edison Company (U338E) To File An Application For Approval of A Smart Meter Opt-Out Plan. |
Application 11-07-020 (Filed July 26, 2011) |
DECISION MODIFYING DECISION 08-09-039 AND ADOPTING AN OPT-OUT PROGRAM FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY'S
EDISON SMARTCONNECT PROGRAM
Table of Contents
Title Page
DECISION MODIFYING DECISION 08-09-039 AND ADOPTING AN OPT-OUT PROGRAM FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY'S EDISON SMARTCONNECT PROGRAM 11
6. Southern Californians for Wired Solutions to Smart Meters' Motion 2121
8. Comments on Proposed Decision 2626
DECISION MODIFYING DECISION 08-09-039 AND ADOPTING AN OPT-OUT PROGRAM FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY'S
EDISON SMARTCONNECT PROGRAM
1. Summary
This decision modifies Decision 08-09-039, which adopted a settlement between Southern California Edison Company (SCE) and the Division of Ratepayer Advocates to implement SCE's Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project, known as the Edison SmartConnect Program. The Edison SmartConnect Program is modified to include an option for residential customers who do not wish to have a wireless smart meter installed at their location. This option shall have the customer retain the meter currently installed at their location or receive the meter form (i.e., an analog meter or a non-analog, non-smart digital meter) that had been at the customer's location prior to the installation of a wireless smart meter.
This new opt-out option is a service that we are adopting with this decision. This opt-out option is a service because the standard for metering has been transitioned throughout the country and for the most part the world from the older technology, analog meters, to today's technology, smart meters. In this decision we are not reversing that transition, however, we do approve an option for those customers who, for whatever reason, would prefer to not have a wireless smart meter. This option to move away from the standard will require SCE to incur costs such as purchasing and maintaining two different types of meters, the monthly cost of reading a non-communicating meter, and the development of duplicate back office systems. As a result, this decision further finds that customers electing the opt-option shall be responsible for costs associated with providing the option. Issues concerning the actual costs to be recovered by SCE to offer the opt-out option and cost allocation will be addressed in a separate phase of this proceeding.
To allow residential customers to begin selecting the opt-out option immediately, this decision adopts interim fees and charges, which will be subject to adjustment upon conclusion of the second phase of this proceeding. A Non-California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) customer electing the opt-out option shall be assessed an initial fee of $75.00 and a monthly charge of $10.00. A CARE customer electing the opt-out option shall be assessed an initial fee of $10.00 and a monthly charge of $5.00.
This decision also authorizes SCE to establish a new two-way memorandum account to track revenues and costs associated with providing the opt-out option until a final decision on recoverable costs and cost allocation is adopted.
This decision further directs SCE to file a Tier 1 Advice Letter implementing the opt-out option and to establish a Smart Meter Opt-Out Tariff within 15 days of the effective date of this decision. Additionally, the September 21, 2011 Assigned Commissioner's Ruling directing SCE to establish a delay list shall no longer be in effect and all customers currently on the delay list shall be transitioned to a wireless smart meter unless they elect to participate in the opt-out option.
Finally, this decision denies Motion to Request the California Department of Public Health to Review the Electric and Magnetic Fields Produced by Wireless Smart Meters filed by Southern Californians for Wired Solutions to Smart Meters.
