MPUC Will Investigate CMP’s Smart Meter Program

During today’s deliberations, the three MPUC Commissioners agreed to investigate an “opt-out” option for Central Maine Power Company customers who would prefer not to have smart meters installed in their homes and businesses.  The investigation was prompted by several CMP customers who expressed health and privacy concerns related to the use of wireless smart meters.  The Commission made clear that its investigation would be limited to the issue of whether CMP’s alleged practice of not providing an opt-out option for customers is “unreasonable, insufficient or unjustly discriminatory” in the context of the Commission’s February 2010 order in Docket No. 2007-215 approving CMP’s Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) program, which incorporates the use of smart meters.

The AMI program seeks to improve CMP’s customer service, enhance storm restoration efforts, reduce costs, and ultimately provide customers with tools to use electricity more efficiently.  The subsequent installation of smart meters in accordance with the AMI program prompted concerns by some CMP customers, which were not necessarily raised or addressed in the AMI proceeding.  The Commission’s new investigation will “examine the possibility of local opt-outs to the program already being implemented and installed by CMP; the possible effect of such an opt-out on the original federal Department of Energy grant that helped fund approximately half the cost of the program; the availability of hard-wire alternatives from CMP; and cost implications for any alternatives to the current program.” The Commission will also investigate whether there are technically feasible, cost-effective alternatives to smart meters that do not undermine the overall smart grid goals.

Maine Public Utilities Commission Investigates Need for Smart Grid Operator

In response to Maine legislation enacted last spring, the Smart Grid Policy Act and the MPUC Order approving CMP’s Maine Power Reliability Program (“MPRP”) the MPUC has initiated a formal investigation to determine whether it is in the public interest to have one or more smart grid coordinators in Maine to help achieve the policy objectives set forth in the Smart Grid Policy Act.  Under the Act, the smart grid coordinator will manage access to smart grid functions and associated infrastructure, technology and applications.  The Order approving MPRP provides for two smart grid pilot projects to be set up as non-transmission alternatives and administered by a smart grid coordinator.  The MPUC investigation will define “smart grid” technologies, systems and functions; the potential role of a smart grid coordinator in furthering the reliability, efficiency and environmental policies embodied in the Smart Grid Policy Act; and the overall costs and benefits to ratepayers.