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For Immediate Release: 10/19/17
John B. Rhodes, Chair
Contact: James Denn | Jame.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
17079/14-M-0196
October 19, 2017
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PSC Resolves Central Hudson Meter DisputeUtility to Withdraw Fee for Consumers Who Decide Against Installing Advanced Electric Meters |
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ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) directed Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation to withdraw monthly fees for residential customers who choose to opt-out of using meter-reading devices that can be read remotely. This move reverses an earlier decision requiring residential customers pay a fee to cover the costs associated with the manual reading a customer’s electric meter.
For residential customers that currently have an advanced, automated electric meter installed at their property, the Commission determined that it is appropriate for the customer to make a one-time payment to cover the cost of switching from the advanced meter to a non-communicating, conventional meter, upon the customer’s request.
Today’s decision will address the concerns of some advocates that have expressed apprehension with the rollout of advanced metering technology. Additionally, for customers that switch back to conventional digital meters, the Commission decided that it is not appropriate to charge meter-reading fees to these customers considering that Central Hudson’s specific utilization strategy for automated meter readers generates little or no labor savings as compared to digital meters.
The Commission also declined to require Central Hudson to make electromechanical meters available because such technology is obsolete and currently not in production by any major meter manufacturer, and therefore does not offer a viable solution to address the concerns of some Central Hudson customers. However, the Commission will require the availability of a non-communicating, solid-state meter option, which, based on available research, do not pose a credible threat to the health and safety of Central Hudson’s customers.
Today’s decision may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 14-M-0196 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.
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