Texas Staff File Recommended Order on Customer Petition for Smart Meter Rulemaking

Staff of the Public Utility Commission of Texas have issued a recommended proposed order regarding a petition from several customers who are seeking an emergency rulemaking to institute a prohibition on the installation of advanced meters and removal of already installed meters, or, alternatively, to provide customers with the ability to decline the use of a smart meter.

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Staff recommended that the petition for rulemaking be denied, for, among other reasons, procedural deficiencies, including petitioners' failure to propose rule language that would permit the Commission to publish a rule, as is required.

Moreover, Staff notes that the Commission has received extensive comments and concerns similar to those made by petitioners in Project No. 40190, PUC Proceeding to Evaluate the Feasibility of Instituting a Smart Meter Opt-Out Program, and said that it will be more efficient and effective for the Commission to consider smart meter concerns in one project.

"Staff concurs that continued examination of these issues in Project No. 40190 is warranted and will be moving forward expeditiously as [commissioners] have requested."