UPDATE: (03/23/2012)
Since our original posting the Public Utilities Commission has opened a project case on this issue entitled “PUC Proceeding to evaluate the feasibility of instituting a smart meter opt-out program.” This is the first step in the Commission considering implementing an opt-out program for smart metering technology in Texas. It is through the work of organizations like our own, comments and complaints from Texas consumers like you and also letters from State Representatives that the Commission is responding to consumer demand.
One of the more powerful letters on the issue addressed to Chairman Nelson of the PUC came from Rep. Dennis Bonnen. (You can read the full text of his letter here.) Rep. Bonnen was the original author of the legislation that addressed smart meter implementation in Texas and he made it very clear that mandatory installation of the meters was never his intent. He states in his letter:
“I urge the commission to correct this oversight by providing a simple, customer-friendly process for opting-out of the advanced metering technology… I ask that any necessary rule changes be adopted expeditiously to effectuate my intent, so that additional legislative action is not required. I stand committed to ensuring that this issue is addressed.”
We applaud Rep. Bonnen for his strong stand on the issue and encourage other state legislators to do the same.
To help obtain an opt-out provision for smart meters in Texas you can get involved by doing the following:
- Call your state representative and state senator about this issue and ask them to work to provide an opt out provision. Ask them to sign the letter to the PUC and mail that letter to the address below.
- Call the PUC at 888-782-8477 to let them know you’d like to see an opt out provision. Mention that your comments are in regards to Docket#: 40190 and the PUC will make note of the fact that you called and requested an opt-out provision.
- Send your comments stating you believe there should be an opt out provision and encouraging the PUC to revise their rules to accommodate said provision in a letter to:
PUC Central Records
Attn: Filing Clerk
re: Docket #40190
P O Box 13326
Austin, Tx 78711-3326
The Public Utilities Commission is cataloging all comments and requests regarding this project online. You can track the progress of this issue by viewing digital copies of all comments and requests received by the PUC for Docket#40190 here.
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ORIGINAL POST: (02/15/2012)
Over the past few months, we’ve heard varied and great concern about the installation of smart electricity meters across Texas. And, there’s been an uprising across the country as citizens voice numerous objections to the devices. Concerns range from health and safety to privacy issues. In Texas, it is the Public Utility Commission (PUC) which regulates the electricity industry. The PUC has written the rule requiring participating electric distributors to implement this new technology across their service area. As the rules currently stand, the PUC has not provided a mechanism that would allow consumers to opt out of smart meter installation on their property. We believe, however, from a review of the legislation from which the PUC rules are derived, that the legislature’s intent was permissive and not mandatory in nature. We further believe therefore that an opt out measure should be made available to Texas consumers.
We have been working to address this concern administratively. We are leading an effort to have the PUC revise rules which mandate the installation of an advanced (smart) meter electric grid in Texas. We have spent countless hours researching the original legislation, reviewing archived committee hearings’ video, calling legislators and meeting with them in person in Austin to discuss this issue. We have identified several legislators who may be willing to facilitate a rule review with the PUC. Last week, we sent a letter to several members of the state legislature outlining for them our research into original legislative intent and asking them to sign a letter to the PUC requesting that the commission revisit their mandatory rules for compliance and create an opt out provision.
Our goal is to have an opt out measure incorporated into the rules without requiring any change in the current law. If it is determined that a legislative change is necessary, Texans will have to wait until 2013 to seek a solution.
If you would like to help with this effort, you can:
- Call your state representative and state senator about this issue and ask them to work to provide an opt out provision
- Print and fax or email a copy of the letter to your legislator. Ask them to sign the letter to the PUC and forward that signed letter to us at contact@WeTexans.com or via fax to 979-532-5481.
- Call the PUC at 888-782-8477 to let them know you’d like to see an opt out provision.
