Provides consumers the option to elect not to use transmitting utility meters and provides that the commission shall not charge a fee to consumers making such election

BILL NUMBER:S5083

Title of bill

An act to amend the public service law, in relation to providing consumers the option to elect not to use transmitting utility meters

Purpose

Provides consumers the option to elect not to use smart meters and provides that the commission shall not charge a fee to consumers making such election.

Summary of provisions

Adds Section 67-b to the Public Service law.

Existing law

Smart meters arc an advancement in technology that allows utility companies to track a customer's electricity consumption remotely, eliminating the need to send workers to the house. The smart meters are intended to give consumers information about their consumption and educate owners on their usage.

However, there is a public sentiment that this information has the potential to expose private information about homeowners and their schedules. Many believe that the smart meters have the potential of being hacked into, similar to criminals accessing credit card information through hacking into unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Consumers have expressed concern that the information collected by a smart meter has the potential to give criminals a schedule for when a house is most likely empty.

It is important to ensure that the homeowner's light to privacy is not infringed upon. Until a code or a regulation is implemented that can guarantee the security of the information collected by the smart meters, consumers should have the option to elect not to use a smart meter.

In response to consumers concerns, over the past year, the Public Utilities Commissions of California, Maine, and Nevada have all issued orders that allow customers to opt out of smart meters. In March 2012, the Georgia State Senate also passed legislation allowing customers to opt out of smart meters.

Justification

Smart meters arc an advancement in technology that allows utility companies to track a customer's electricity consumption remotely, eliminating the need to send workers to the house. The smart meters are intended to give consumers information about their consumption and educate owners on their usage.

However, there is a public sentiment that this information has the potential to expose private information about homeowners and their schedules. Many believe that the smart meters have the potential of being hacked into, similar to criminals accessing credit card information through hacking into unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Consumers have expressed concern that the information collected by a smart meter has the potential to give criminals a schedule for when a house is most likely empty.

It is important to ensure that the homeowner's light to privacy is not infringed upon. Until a code or a regulation is implemented that can guarantee the security of the information collected by the smart

meters, consumers should have the option to elect not to use a smart meter.

In response to consumers concerns, over the past year, the Public Utilities Commissions of California, Maine, and Nevada have all issued orders that allow customers to opt out of smart meters. In March 2012, the Georgia State Senate also passed legislation allowing customers to opt out of smart meters.

Legislative history

2012 S.7184 - Finance Committee. 2014 A7799A.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act would take effect immediately.