Settlement Would Set Smart Meter Opt-Out Fees at Oncor

A settlement among Staff of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, Oncor, and the 9/12 Association would establish the fees applicable for customers who opt-out of advanced metering service.

The one-time, upfront opt-out fee would vary by whether the customer has single phase or three phase service, whether the customer already has an advanced meter, and whether the meter is self-contained or instrument-rated.

The complete list of one-time opt-out fees may be found on pages 13-14 of the settlement filed yesterday (Attachment 1 SD 13, click here).

The one-time, upfront opt-out fee for a customer who does not have an advanced meter, self-contained, single phase is:

Keep Existing Non-Standard Meter               $168.54
Replace w/ an Analog Meter                     $167.22
Replace w/ Digital Non-Communicating Meter     $197.11
Replace w/ AMS with Communications Disabled    $186.46

The one-time, upfront opt-out fee for a customer who already has an advanced meter, self-contained, single phase is:

Keep Existing Non-Standard Meter                 N/A
Replace w/ an Analog Meter                     $191.39
Replace w/ Digital Non-Communicating Meter     $221.28
Replace w/ AMS with Communications Disabled    $210.63

The recurring monthly opt-out fee shall be $26.69 for customers receiving service via an energy meter, and $31.38 for customers receiving service via a demand meter.

After certain costs are recovered, the recurring monthly fee shall be reduced to $23.76 for customers receiving service via an energy meter, and $28.45 for customers receiving service via a demand meter.

The settlement also provides that Oncor shall recalculate the fees if the number of customers taking non-standard metering service under the tariff at the same time exceeds 1,500.

Docket 41890