Smart Meter Opt-Out for CMP Customers Approved by MPUC

During Tuesday’s deliberations, the Maine Public Utilities Commission approved smart meter opt-out options for Central Maine Power customers.  The Commission approved two smart meter opt-out options: (1) the option of installing a smart meter with its transmitter turned off and (2) the ability to retain the existing analog meter.  Additionally, customers may choose to relocate smart meters to a different location on the customer’s property, at the customer’s expense.

Both opt-out choices come with costs that must be paid by the customers who select to opt out.  Choosing a digital smart meter with the wireless transmitter turned off will carry an initial charge of $20, plus a $10.50 monthly charge.  Retaining an existing mechanical meter will cost $40 initially, plus a $12 monthly charge.  Low-income residents may qualify for a 50% subsidy of the opt-out cost.  Depending on how many customers ultimately choose something other than a standard smart meter, the costs may be adjusted in the future. So far, an estimated 1% of all customers have asked not to have the new meters installed at their homes and businesses.

Commissioner Vafiades emphasized the need to move forward by shifting the focus to the benefits of smart meters, while allowing those who reject smart meters to opt out: “Based on sound public policy, as allowed by statute and taking into consideration all public correspondence and filings, we conclude that offering a smart meter opt-out options is reasonable and in the public interest. For the long term success of smart meter implementation and to maximize its potential to the fullest, the public needs to be actively engaged in monitoring their usage and real-time price of electricity and modifying their behavior accordingly. To achieve this goal, we need to shift the focus to the benefits of smart meters and allow the small minority to opt out.”

Commissioner Littell noted the Commission’s thorough review of customer concerns and the range of options now available: “We have reviewed every filing, every complaint and every letter sent to this Commission regarding smart meters. Based on our review, we conclude that any CMP residential or small commercial customer should have four choices: 1) the default smart meter which will become the standard meter in CMP territory; 2) the ability to select a smart meter with the transmitter-off; 3) the ability to keep the customer’s existing analog meter; or, 4) the ability to move the new smart meters elsewhere on their property at the customer’s expense.”

Energy News Roundup: January 15-January 21

This week in regional energy news …

• Central Maine Power Co. responds to some customers’ requests to opt out of installation of “smart meters” on their property.
• With an eye toward economic diversification, Brewer and Old town, Maine, are exploring ways to reduce electricity costs for tenants in new business parks.
• Western Massachusetts Electric Co. has announced it will build a 4.2-megawatt solar facility atop a landfill in Springfield, Mass.
• The wood pellet industry looks for growth opportunities in Atlantic Canada.
• CMP will hold a jobs fair on Tuesday as it looks for professionals to build its Maine Power Reliability Project transmission upgrade.

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.

Energy News Roundup: November 13-November 19

This week in regional energy news …

• UIL Holdings and Iberdrola have closed on their purchase of three New England gas utilities: the Southern Connecticut Gas Co., the Connecticut Natural Gas Corp., and the Berkshire Gas Co.  The deal is worth $917 million.
• In another deal announced this week, Constellation Energy Group was the successful bidder to purchase five power plants from Boston Generating, which is currently in bankruptcy proceedings.  The power plants generate nearly 3,000 megawatts and will increase Constellation’s generating assets by 33%.
• At a tidal power forum held at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Anne Miles, FERC’s director of hydropower licensing, announced that the U.S.’s tidal energy industry is catching up to Europe’s, but regulatory and technological challenges remain.
• Canada’s Defense Minister has announced that the country will devote $20 million in federal funds to a tidal energy project in the Bay of Fundy, off of Nova Scotia.
• Small-scale hydroelectric power project developers have concerns that Hydro-Quebec’s entrée into the U.S. market through New Hampshire will squeeze their projects out of the market in New England.
• Prince Edward Island has announced its intention to scale back proposed wind power development plans in the province, from 130 megawatts to 40.
• CMP requests dismissal of two MPUC smart meter complaints. 

Energy News Roundup: October 16-October 22

This week in regional energy news …

• Northeast Utilities and NSTAR made headlines nationwide by announcing their merger, which will create the largest utility in the Northeast with around 3.5 million customers.  Coverage in the Financial Times, Bloomberg, WSJ, Boston Globe, and NYTimes DealBook.
• While interested parties in Vermont debate the merits of wind project developments in that state, Vermont’s two largest utilities have agreed to purchase power from wind parks in New Hampshire.
• Researchers and project developers met in Northport, Maine, for the first Maine Deepwater Offshore Wind Development Conference.
• First Wind’s 40-turbine Rollins Mountain wind project is now under construction near Lincoln, Maine.
• Tidal turbines will be tested at the Tidal Energy Demonstration and Evaluation Center in Castine, Maine.  The center has benefited from funding from the Department of Energy and the Libra Foundation.
• Hydropower will flow from Hydro-Quebec’s generators to New England by way of Franklin, New Hampshire, where a large-scale power system facility will be constructed.  The permitting process will take about two years, officials say.
• Controversy erupts in Maine over the health impact of smart meters.