Subchapter O. ADVANCED METER DEPLOYMENT
Sec.
57.251. Purpose.
57.252. Definitions.
57.253. Approval of advanced meters.
57.254. Advanced meter standards.
57.255. EDC responsibilities regarding advanced metering.
57.256. EDC responsibilities regarding network deployment.
57.257. Disputes concerning advanced metering.
57.258. Record retention and reporting requirements.
57.259. Customer education on advanced metering.
Authority The provisions of this Subchapter O issued under the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa.C.S. § § 501 and 2807(a) and (d), unless otherwise noted.
Source The provisions of this Subchapter O adopted December 24, 1998, effective December 26, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 6302, unless otherwise noted.
§ 57.251. Purpose.
(a) The purpose of this subchapter is to facilitate the deployment of advanced metering equipment and the associated development of generation services based on these technologies. This subchapter establishes a procedure for identifying and providing for customer selection of qualified advanced meters, meter-related devices or deployment of automatic meter reading network equipment from the EDC while maintaining the safety and reliability of the electric system in this Commonwealth. This subchapter does not require the public to participate in an advanced metering program.
(b) This subchapter will not preclude the Commission from approving a restructuring settlement agreement which incorporates advanced meter provisions contrary to the requirements in § 57.255 (relating to EDC responsibilities regard-
ing advanced metering). If the Commission takes this action, the EDC and EGS shall be exempt from complying with § 57.255(a)—(g) to the extent necessary to comply with the restructuring settlement agreement. However, under all circumstances, the EDC and EGS shall comply with the remaining sections contained within this subchapter including § 57.255(h).
§ 57.252. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Advanced meter network or network—A communications infrastructure that upgrades an existing meter system in an EDC service territory to provide for automated meter reading or other services and is used for customer billing.
Advanced meter standards—A set of standards which define minimum compatibility, accuracy and functional requirements for an advanced meter, meter-related device or network as applicable.
Commission—The Public Utility Commission of the Commonwealth.
EDC—Electric distribution company—A public utility providing facilities for the jurisdictional transmission and distribution of electricity to retail customers, except building or facility owners/operators that manage an internal distribution system which serves a building or facility and which supplies electric power and other related electric power services to occupants of that building or facility.
EGS—Electric generation supplier—A person or corporation, including municipal corporations which choose to provide service outside their municipal limits except to the extent provided prior to January 1, 1997, brokers, and marketers, aggregators or other entities, that sells to end-use customers electricity or related services utilizing the jurisdictional transmission or distribution facilities of an EDC or that purchases, brokers, arranges or markets electricity or related services for sale to end-use customers utilizing the jurisdictional transmission and distribution facilities of an EDC. The term excludes building or facility owner/operators that manage the internal distribution system serving the building or facility. The term excludes electric cooperative corporations except as provided in 15 Pa.C.S. Chapter 74 (relating to generation choice for customers of electric cooperatives).
Metering committee or committee—An advisory body to the Commission which advises on advanced metering matters and which consists of, to the extent possible, an equal number of representatives of EDCs, EGSs, as well as consumer, environmental and EDC electrical worker union representatives.
Meter-related device—A device identified through the process established under this subchapter which may be attached to an existing standard meter that supports the provision of generation services in a competitive market and meets certain advanced meter standards.
Modify a profile interval—A function which permits a meter to store information on a variety of subhourly and hourly time intervals.
Multiple callout capability—A function which permits more than one party to have remote access to an advanced meter.
Net incremental cost—An analysis of the difference between the costs associated with existing standard meters and those with the advanced capabilities of the particular advanced meter or meter-related device at issue. The analysis should take into account the acquisition cost of the meter or meter-related device, including economies of scale, as well as costs associated with its installation, reading and maintenance.
Password protection—A function which permits a meter to provide information only to parties with legitimate access rights.
Pulse output—A function which permits a meter to provide pulses, when each pulse represents a specific amount of electric usage.
Qualified advanced meter—A customer’s billing meter identified through the process established under this subchapter that supports the provision of generation services in a competitive market and meets certain advanced meter standards established by the Commission.
Retail electric customer or customer—A direct user of electric power as defined by 66 Pa.C.S. § 2803 (relating to definitions).§ 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.
§ 57.254. Advanced meter standards.
(a) A qualified advanced meter, meter-related device and a network shall conform to § § 57.20—57.25 (relating to meter testing) and the American National Standards Institute Standard C12, as applicable, or as these standards may be updated.
(b) A qualified advanced meter, meter-related device and network shall be the customer’s billing meter and shall meet the standards adopted by the Commission from time to time after consideration of the recommendations of the Committee. Qualified advanced meters, meter-related devices or networks shall possess open, nonproprietary communications capabilities to allow both an EGS and an EDC to access information in a standard data format. In addition, a qualified advanced meter, meter-related device or network shall be capable of measuring hourly usage and may support one or more functional requirements, such as the ability to do one or more of the following:
(1) Modify a profile interval.
(2) Provide a communications port for a customer to monitor usage.
(3) Provide a pulse output to allow for usage monitoring.
(4) Provide password protection.
(5) Measure in two directions.
(6) Have multiple callout capability.
(c) Access to meter reading information shall be limited only to the customer, the EDC or the current EGS.
(d) A meter, meter-related device and network that meets the requirements in subsections (a) and (b) shall be considered a qualified advanced meter, meter-related device and network and shall be subject to applicable surcharges and other requirements of this subchapter. The Commission will periodically review and revise these requirements as necessary.
Cross References This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 57.253 (relating to approval of advanced meters); 52 Pa. Code § 57.255 (relating to EDC responsibilities regarding advanced metering); and 52 Pa. Code § 57.256 (relating to EDC responsibilities regarding network deployment).
§ 57.255. EDC responsibilities regarding advanced metering.
(a) Upon written request from both a customer and the EGS of that customer, the EDC shall make available and install for use a qualified advanced meter or meter-related device. The qualified advanced meter shall be the customer’s billing meter and shall meet certain standards established by the Commission in § 57.254 (relating to advanced meter standards).
(b) A qualified advanced meter, meter-related device and network, as well as related infrastructure, shall be owned and operated by the EDC as part of its regulated local distribution function. A network may be owned by an EDC or its chosen network provider. An EDC shall be responsible for compliance with the applicable requirements related to installation, calibration, maintenance, testing, physical reading, safety and reliability, as well as installing and maintaining associated infrastructure as applicable.
(c) An EDC shall provide meter reading for billing purposes except when the customer has chosen to receive a separate generation supply bill from its EGS.
(d) An EDC shall install and make operational a qualified advanced meter or meter-related device within 20 business days from the date the request is received by an EDC.
(e) An EDC shall physically read an automated meter in compliance with § 56.12(5)(i) (relating to remote meter reading; estimated billing; ratepayer readings).
(f) The EDC shall develop a procedure to ensure that qualified advanced meters or meter-related devices are available for installation as required in this subchapter. The EDC may purchase and stock the meters, meter-related devices or may otherwise arrange with EGSs and other EDCs for the most economical way to ensure availability.
(g) An EDC responsible for providing metering services on a customer’s premises shall ensure that the work be done by responsible individuals whose activities in the performance of these services are under the control of the EDC and who are qualified to perform the work according to the EDC’s specifications and good utility practices.
(h) If the Commission approves a restructuring settlement agreement incorporating EDC metering responsibilities contrary to the provisions in any section of this subchapter, the terms and conditions of the agreement shall, to the extent applicable, govern EDC responsibilities.
Cross References This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 57.251 (relating to purpose).
§ 57.256. EDC responsibilities regarding network deployment.
An EDC may deploy a network for automatic meter reading capability if the following conditions are met:
(1) The network is compatible with market requirements as a qualified advanced meter based on Committee review and recommendations as adopted by the Commission.
(2) The application shall include proposed tariffs concerning any charges for deployment of the network.
(3) The application shall include, at a minimum:
(i) A description of the system.
(ii) Implementation time frame.
(iii) Certification on compliance with applicable standards as provided in § 57.254 (relating to advanced meter standards).
(iv) Implementation costs.
(v) Summary of educational materials on new technologies.
(vi) Impacts on customer electric bills.
(vii) Impacts on existing and anticipated advanced metering equipment and generation services.
§ 57.257. Disputes concerning advanced metering.
(a) A dispute between an EDC and a residential or small commercial customer, or between an EGS and a residential or small commercial customer, shall be filed with the Bureau of Consumer Services as an informal complaint for mediation and dispute resolution under § § 3.111, 3.112 and 56.161—56.224. The Bureau of Consumer Services will provide a notice of the dispute and notice of the opportunity to participate to the EDC, EGS and to other parties associated with the complaint.
(b) When a customer, applicant or other interested party expresses dissatisfaction with an EDC or EGS decision or explanation of its actions covered by this subchapter, the EDC or EGS shall inform the customer, applicant or other interested party of the right to have the problem considered and reviewed by the Commission as an informal or formal complaint. The EDC or EGS shall explain how to file a complaint and otherwise comply with § § 3.111, 3.112 and § § 56.161—56.223.
§ 57.258. Record retention and reporting requirements.
(a) An EDC shall maintain the following records:
(1) Updated lists of all qualified advanced meters and meter-related devices.
(2) General summary of procedures for advanced meter or meter-related device acquisition and installation.
(3) The date of advanced meter purchase request by customer and supplier and date of installation.
(4) The summary of qualified advanced meters deployed, including name of manufacturer and serial numbers.
(5) The summary of the characteristics and capabilities of each qualified advanced meter deployed.
(b) An EDC shall retain and make available to the general public upon request information required under subsection (a)(1) and (2). An EDC shall retain and make available to the Commission upon request the information required under subsection (a)(3)—(5). The EDC shall retain the information required under subsections (a)(3)—(5) for 1-calendar year from the date of qualified advanced meter or meter-related device deployment.
(c) An EDC and EGS shall retain a summary of executed customer terms of service disclosure statements which includes advanced metering provisions as provided in § 57.259 (relating to customer education on advanced metering) and shall be available for Commission review upon request. The EDC and EGS shall retain the summary information regarding an individual customer for a 3-year period commencing from the date of execution of the terms of the service disclosure statement.
§ 57.259. Customer education on advanced metering.
(a) An EDC shall provide an initial summary statement to its customers which describes the availability and general uses of advanced metering. The initial summary statement may be distributed as part of a regularly scheduled customer electric usage bill or other regularly scheduled customer communications as applicable.
(b) The EGS shall ensure that a customer is informed as to the capabilities, advantages and disadvantages of a qualified advanced meter prior to installation or participation in a generation service program utilizing advanced metering. An EGS shall provide to the customer a terms of service disclosure statement that addresses advanced metering.
(c) An EDC shall provide, as part of the customer education program, information addressing the use of an advanced meter, basic meter operations and capabilities, advantages and disadvantages of advanced metering, including qualified advanced meter options, applicable costs/surcharges and methods to obtain additional information.
(d) The informational and promotional materials are required to:
(1) Comply with applicable requirements of the act and existing truth-in advertising requirements.
(2) Prominently disclose that additional information is available from either the local EDC, the customer’s EGS or the Commission.
(3) State that the available advanced meters are qualified to meet current Commission performance and technical standards.
Cross References This section cited in 52 Pa. Code § 57.258 (relating to record retention and reporting requirements).
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