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Sharyland Seeks To Reinstate Advanced Meter Deployment Proceeding, Severing AMS Surcharge Issue

June 20, 2016

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Copyright 2010-16 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com

Sharyland Utilities has petitioned the Public Utility Commission of Texas to reinstate a proceeding reviewing the utility's proposed advanced metering deployment plan, with such reinstatement limited to issues other than the AMS surcharge, with the AMS surcharge severed into a separate docket

Specifically, Sharyland is seeking to reinstate the docket in order to address at this time: (1) deployment plan, (2) proposed reduction to discretionary service charges, and (3) non-standard metering service fees

Sharyland said that such reinstatement would allow the PUC to consider a January 19, 2016 Proposal for Decision without ruling on the surcharge until a later time (e.g., after the conclusion of Sharyland's pending rate case in Docket No. 454141).

The January 19 PFD would have approved Sharyland's AMS deployment (click here), but Commissioners voted to abate the proceeding, pending resolution of Sharyland's newly filed rate case (click here)..

"If the Commission grants Sharyland's motion, Sharyland's customers, like other electric utility customers throughout this state, will begin realizing these important benefits [of AMI] sooner, while avoiding the implementation of the proposed surcharge until later," Sharyland said

Sharyland also informed the Commission that Sharyland plans to install a limited number of advanced meters to begin testing remote capability. Certain parties, including retail providers, had proposed that Sharyland engage in an AMS pilot before full deployment, and two Commissioners voiced support, outside of a formal vote, for the notion of a pilot at the May 19 open meeting (click here).

Sharyland said that it believes a full pilot is unnecessary, but that the testing is meant to address the concerns voiced at the May 19 meeting

"If there is a preference for testing before full deployment, Sharyland believes that starting such testing now will minimize the impacts of further delay," the company said

Sharyland said that no AMS data will be sent to the market during this limited test.

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