2013 -- H 5027

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LC00197

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Gallison, Marshall, Blazejewski, Edwards, and Serpa

     Date Introduced: January 09, 2013

     Referred To: House Corporations

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 39-3-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-3 entitled "Regulatory

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Powers of Administration" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     39-3-8. Standards for measurement and testing of service. – (a) The division shall

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ascertain and fix adequate and serviceable standards for the measurement of the quality, pressure,

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initial voltage, or other condition pertaining to the supply of the product or service rendered by

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any public utility, and prescribe reasonable regulations for the examination and testing of the

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product or service and for the measurement thereof. It shall establish reasonable rules,

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regulations, specifications, and standards to secure accuracy of all meters and appliances for

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measurement, and every public utility is required to carry into effect all orders issued by the

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division relative thereto.

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      (b) An electric transmission and distribution utility may not install a wireless smart meter

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unless approved by the commission. Upon petition by an electric transmission and distribution

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utility, the commission shall open a proceeding to establish the terms and conditions under which

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the utility may install wireless smart meters. The terms and conditions must include, but are not

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limited to, provisions allowing a customer, at no cost to that customer:

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      (1) To decline the installation of all types of smart-meter technology; or

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     (2) To decline the installation of the wireless smart meter; or

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     (3) To have a wired smart meter installed as an alternative to the wireless smart meter.

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     (c) Definitions, as used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the

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following terms have the following meanings:

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     (1) “Wired smart meter” means an advanced metering infrastructure device using a fixed

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wire for 2-way communication between the device and an electric transmission and distribution

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utility.

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     (2) “Wireless smart meter” means an advanced metering infrastructure device using radio

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or other wireless means for 2-way communication between the device and an electric

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transmission and distribution utility.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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LC00197

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

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     This act would allow consumers the right to decline the installation of a wireless smart

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meter and substitute a wired smart meter, and to completely decline the installation of any smart

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meter technology.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

     

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LC00197

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H5027