From: secretary@dps.state.ny.us
Date: October 13, 2011 1:52:14 PM EDT
Subject: Re: Questions About Digital Utility
Meters
NYS PSC: Please see the responses to your questions below.
Is the NYS PSC requiring the utility companies,
including the DEP to install AMR electric, water, gas
"smart" digital utility meters on homes in New York
State?
No, the Commission has not required any utility under
its jurisdiction (which does not include the New York
City DEP) to install AMR meters, or any other
particular type of meter; however, many utilities have
applied for and received approval to install AMR
meters.
If so, where in the NYS PSC laws is that stated.
N/A
When were the DUMeters approved by the NYS PSC?
We do not recognize a meter type known as “DUMeters.”
In general, the Commission’s regulations require that
only meter types that have been approved by the
Commission may be used to bill customers. Each meter
type in use in New York State was approved by the
Commission; however, there are hundreds of different
electric, gas, water and steam meter types in use
throughout the state. They were approved at various
times, over the course of many years.
Where on the NYS PSC website can I find the documents
that show when the DUMeters were approved?
On the main page of our website (www.dps.state.ny.us),
click on the link titled “Commission Documents.” This
will bring you to a search page where you can search
for documents in several different ways. Try simply
doing a search for the word “meter.”
Were the meters ever tested for safety? Who tested them
and when?
The Commission's review of meters primarily addresses
meter accuracy and performance under a range of inservice conditions. The Commission does not certify,
test, or inspect meter types for safety or health
purposes.
Was there ever an EIS done in NYS for the “smart” grid
and for DUMeters?
No.
Can the NYS PSC require Con Edison and United Water to
remove DUMeters from the homes of their customers who
believe that they are being injured by the pulsed
radiation being emitted from the meters?
It would be within the Commission’s authority to direct
utilities to remove a given meter, of any type, in
response to specific customer requests, regardless of
the customer’s rationale. The Commission would not
likely be inclined to exercise that authority without
good cause shown. We note that California and Maine
either have implemented or are considering such
policies. The Maine PUC required Central Maine Power
Company to offer an opt-out program for customers who
choose not to have a standard smart meter installed as
part of the company’s smart meter program. Customers
will have two new opt-out options: the availability of
the smart meter with its transmitter turned off and the
ability to retain the existing analog meter. Each
option would entail additional customer charges.
Pacific Gas & Electric Company proposes to disable
smart meters for customers concerned about health and
safety hazards from meter radio wave emissions, and to
charge fees plus an additional monthly charge to cover
the costs of manual meter readings and other costs. To
the best of our knowledge, the California PUC has not
yet acted on the proposal. In both cases, however, the
subject utilities are implementing broad-scale smart
meter installations, which is not the case for any
utility in New York.
TO: secretary@dps.state.ny 10/12/2011 06:20 PM cc
Subject: Questions About Digital Meters
Dear Commissioner Brown,
Please answer these questions as soon as possible.
Is the NYS PSC requiring the utility companies,
including the DEP to install AMR electric, water, gas
"smart" digital utility meters on homes in New York
State?
If so, where in the NYS PSC laws is that stated.
Also,
When were the DUMeters approved by the NYS PSC?
Where on the NYS PSC website can I find the documents
that show when the DUMeters were approved?
Were the meters ever tested for safety? Who tested them
and when?
Was there ever an EIS done in NYS for the "smart" grid
and for DUMeters?
Can the NYS PSC require Con Edison and United Water to
remove DUMeters from the homes of their customers who
believe that they are being injured by the pulsed
radiation being emitted from the meters?
These are the questions that I have for now. I will
have more questions as I finish reading the NYS PSC
SMART GRID POLICY STATEMENT.
I have asked questions of the NYS PSC and they were
never answered. Please answer these questions.
Thank you.