§ 57.253. Approval of advanced meters.
(a) A qualified advanced meter, meter-related device or network shall be the customer’s billing meter and shall meet certain advanced meter standards established by the Commission according to the following process:
(1) The Office of the Executive Director will appoint and chair a Metering Committee (Committee) composed of, to the extent possible, a balanced number of representatives from EDCs and EGSs, as well as representatives of consumer, environmental and EDC electrical worker union interests. The Committee will be designated an advisory body to the Commission as provided in this subsection.
(2) The Committee will meet as necessary to establish and modify recommendations to the Commission for a catalog of qualified advanced meters, meter-related devices and networks or to review recognized changes and improvements in metering technology.
(i) The Committee will include recommendations to the Commission in the catalog for a variety of technologies that support the demands of customers and the services of EGSs expected in the market. These technologies may include: networks, two-way communication, time of use capabilities, load management, net metering for self-generation and similar services. Qualified advanced meters, meter-related devices and networks shall meet the standards described in § 57.254 (relating to advanced meter standards)
(ii) The Committee will consider applicable technical standards, manufacturers’ information, another state’s approval of a particular type of meter, meter-related device or network and other appropriate areas in its meter catalog deliberations.
(iii) An interested party shall request, in writing, to have an advanced meter, meter-related device or network to be considered for review by the Committee. The written request shall include a brief description of the subject meter, meter-related device, or network, manufacturers’ information, any proposal to use the device other than on a Statewide basis, a statement claiming compliance with applicable standards in § 57.254, and other information necessary for a Committee recommendation.
(iv) Upon receipt of a written request for inclusion of an advanced meter in the Catalog, the Committee shall serve notice on an affected EDC. The EDC shall have 30 days from the date of receipt of the notice to respond to the Committee regarding costs and incompatibility. In the absence of an EDC response to costs and incompatibility, the Committee may assume that the subject device is compatible and incremental costs are de minimis.
(v) The Committee will make a recommendation to the Commission regarding the subject meter, meter-related device or network within 60 days from the date the request is received. The interested party that proposed the meter or device, and any other interested party, shall have 14 days to submit comments to the Commission concerning the Committee’s recommendation.
(vi) Upon receipt of the Committee’s recommendations, the Commission will serve the recommendations on affected parties consistent with a service list developed by the Office of Executive Director, including all EDCs, the OCA, the Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA) and the Office of Trial Staff. The Commission will issue a decision regarding approval of the subject meter, meter-related device or network within 60 days of the receipt of the Committee’s recommendation.
(3) The Committee will submit a report to the Commission by October 1, 1999, and at least annually thereafter, with its considerations and recommendations.
(4) The Committee shall include in its reports to the Commission facts concerning anticipated net incremental costs of qualified advanced meters or meter-related devices and recommendations concerning the appropriate level and manner of payment of the charges, if any.
(b) Customers or EGSs, or both, shall be responsible for any net incremental costs incurred by the EDC as a result of using a qualified advanced meter or meter-related device.
(1) Customers using a qualified advanced meter or meter-related device may be assessed a bill surcharge by the EDC to cover any net incremental cost associated with the choice to use an advanced meter.
(2) Instead of a customer surcharge, the EGS may pay the EDC for net incremental costs.
(3) The customer and EGS may mutually agree to allocate the charges between them.
(c) Any customer surcharge or EGS payment for qualified advanced meters or meter-related devices shall be incorporated in the tariff of each EDC approved by the Commission.
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