Investor-owned utility customers who still have analog meters may request a delay in digital meter installations under a California Public Utilities Commission Sept. 23 ruling by president Mike Peevey. Investor-owned utilities not only are required to allow digital installation delays but also must notify customers in “sufficient advance” that “smart” meter installation postponements are available. Once a customer is on a delay list, a digital meter swap out may only take place when the commission’s executive director specifically authorizes such an installation, or when the customer changes his or her mind and removes themselves from the delay list. Eighteen organizations, including The Utility Reform Network and Santa Barbara County urged regulators to allow an opt-out program in July. Although each utility has its own methods for opting out of installations, some customers complain the phone numbers to contact utilities are constantly changing and information on their websites is unclear or inaccurate. This ruling did not force all the utilities to offer the same style of opt-outs, but requires information to be posted on utilities’ websites.
