The Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) unanimously voted last week to draft rules allowing millions of state businesses and residences to opt out of smart meters.
Nearly seven million smart meters have been installed in Texas, representing 90 percent of customers, according to PUC spokesperson Terry Hadley. As proposed, the opt out would not require swapping smart meters for electromechanical meters, but would simply disable smart meter radios.
The opt out is not guaranteed, as the rules will be subjected to a public comment period before facing a final PUC vote. Customers who opt out would likely face supplemental fees.
For the full article, check out fiereenergy.com.
Is a policy analyst consultant for TCAP, a coalition of political subdivisions in Texas that purchase electricity in the deregulated market for their own governmental use. Because energy costs are typically a significant budget item to our members, TCAP is consistently looking for ways to save our members money, through cost-saving contracts, energy efficiency or demand response programs.