2013 -- H 5027 | |
======= | |
LC00197 | |
======= | |
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
| |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
| |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013 | |
| |
____________ | |
| |
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: | |
1-1 |
     SECTION 1. Section 39-3-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-3 entitled "Regulatory |
1-2 |
Powers of Administration" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
1-3 |
     39-3-8. Standards for measurement and testing of service. – (a) The division shall |
1-4 |
ascertain and fix adequate and serviceable standards for the measurement of the quality, pressure, |
1-5 |
initial voltage, or other condition pertaining to the supply of the product or service rendered by |
1-6 |
any public utility, and prescribe reasonable regulations for the examination and testing of the |
1-7 |
product or service and for the measurement thereof. It shall establish reasonable rules, |
1-8 |
regulations, specifications, and standards to secure accuracy of all meters and appliances for |
1-9 |
measurement, and every public utility is required to carry into effect all orders issued by the |
1-10 |
division relative thereto. |
1-11 |
      (b) An electric transmission and distribution utility may not install a wireless smart meter |
1-12 |
unless approved by the commission. Upon petition by an electric transmission and distribution |
1-13 |
utility, the commission shall open a proceeding to establish the terms and conditions under which |
1-14 |
the utility may install wireless smart meters. The terms and conditions must include, but are not |
1-15 |
limited to, provisions allowing a customer, at no cost to that customer: |
1-16 |
      (1) To decline the installation of all types of smart-meter technology; or |
1-17 |
     (2) To decline the installation of the wireless smart meter; or |
1-18 |
     (3) To have a wired smart meter installed as an alternative to the wireless smart meter. |
1-19 |
     (c) Definitions, as used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the |
1-20 |
following terms have the following meanings: |
2-1 |
     (1) “Wired smart meter” means an advanced metering infrastructure device using a fixed |
2-2 |
wire for 2-way communication between the device and an electric transmission and distribution |
2-3 |
utility. |
2-4 |
     (2) “Wireless smart meter” means an advanced metering infrastructure device using radio |
2-5 |
or other wireless means for 2-way communication between the device and an electric |
2-6 |
transmission and distribution utility. |
2-7 |
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
      | |
======= | |
LC00197 | |
======== | |
EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS | |
*** | |
3-1 |
     This act would allow consumers the right to decline the installation of a wireless smart |
3-2 |
meter and substitute a wired smart meter, and to completely decline the installation of any smart |
3-3 |
meter technology. |
3-4 |
     This act would take effect upon passage. |
      | |
======= | |
LC00197 | |
======= |