Citations Affected: IC 8-1-2.
Synopsis: Refusal of smart meter installation. Requires an energy
utility, as a condition of installing a smart meter on a customer's
premises, to offer the customer an opportunity to refuse the installation.
Effective: July 1, 2013.
January 7, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Utilities and Energy.
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
utilities.
to support advanced metering functions for an energy utility's
distribution system. The term includes equipment, such as a smart
meter, that is installed on a customer's premises and is necessary
to support the advanced metering functions.
(b) As used in this section, "energy utility" has the meaning set
forth in IC 8-1-2.5-2.
(c) As used in this section, "smart meter" means a meter that
uses two-way communication to:
(1) collect electricity usage and related information from a
customer;
(2) transmit information described in subdivision (1) to an
energy utility; and
(3) deliver information to customers.
(d) Before an energy utility may install a smart meter on a
customer's premises, the energy utility must offer the customer an
opportunity to refuse the installation. The offer must be made in a
face to face communication between an authorized representative
of the energy utility and the customer. The authorized
representative shall:
(1) make a written record of the customer's response;
(2) provide one (1) copy to the customer; and
(3) retain one (1) copy for the records of the energy utility.
A refusal remains valid until revoked in writing by the customer.
(e) A customer who refuses an installation under subsection (d)
may retain the customer's existing meter if the meter satisfies all
applicable rules, regulations, specifications, and standards
established under section 34 of this chapter.
(f) Rules, regulations, specifications, and standards established
by the commission under section 34 of this chapter apply to
advanced metering infrastructure and smart meters to the extent
they do not conflict with this section.
(g) This section does not apply to a smart meter installed before
July 1, 2013.