Senate Bill S5083

                                BILL NUMBER:S5083

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the public service law, in relation to
providing consumers the option to elect not to use transmitting
utility meters

PURPOSE:  Provides consumers the option to elect not to use smart
meters and provides that the commission shall not charge a fee to
consumers making such election.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:  Adds Section 67-b to the Public Service law.

EXISTING LAW:  Smart meters arc an advancement in technology that
allows utility companies to track a customer's electricity consumption
remotely, eliminating the need to send workers to the house. The smart
meters are intended to give consumers information about their
consumption and educate owners on their usage.

However, there is a public sentiment that this information has the
potential to expose private information about homeowners and their
schedules. Many believe that the smart meters have the potential of
being hacked into, similar to criminals accessing credit card
information through hacking into unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Consumers
have expressed concern that the information collected by a smart meter
has the potential to give criminals a schedule for when a house is
most likely empty.
              

It is important to ensure that the homeowner's light to privacy is not
infringed upon. Until a code or a regulation is implemented that can
guarantee the security of the information collected by the smart
meters, consumers should have the option to elect not to use a smart
meter.

In response to consumers concerns, over the past year, the Public
Utilities Commissions of California, Maine, and Nevada have all issued
orders that allow customers to opt out of smart meters. In March 2012,
the Georgia State Senate also passed legislation allowing customers to
opt out of smart meters.

JUSTIFICATION:  Smart meters arc an advancement in technology that
allows utility companies to track a customer's electricity consumption
remotely, eliminating the need to send workers to the house. The smart
meters are intended to give consumers information about their
consumption and educate owners on their usage.

However, there is a public sentiment that this information has the
potential to expose private information about homeowners and their
schedules. Many believe that the smart meters have the potential of
being hacked into, similar to criminals accessing credit card
information through hacking into unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Consumers
have expressed concern that the information collected by a smart meter
has the potential to give criminals a schedule for when a house is
most likely empty.

It is important to ensure that the homeowner's light to privacy is not
infringed upon. Until a code or a regulation is implemented that can
guarantee the security of the information collected by the smart


meters, consumers should have the option to elect not to use a smart
meter.

In response to consumers concerns, over the past year, the Public
Utilities Commissions of California, Maine, and Nevada have all issued
orders that allow customers to opt out of smart meters. In March 2012,
the Georgia State Senate also passed legislation allowing customers to
opt out of smart meters.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:  2012 S.7184 - Finance Committee. 2014 A7799A.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: To be determined.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  This act would take effect immediately.