SG&E Opt-out Next Steps (from CPUC Opt-out Plan, Rev. 2, passed 4/19/12)

7. Next Steps

As noted above, it is our desire to have the opt-out option implemented without undue delay. Consequently, SDG&E is directed to file a Tier 1 Advice Letter to implement a smart meter opt-out option for its AMI Project and to establish a smart meter Opt-Out Tariff within 15 days of the effective date of this decision. This Advice Letter filing shall:

1. Establish procedures for residential customers to select the opt-out option if they do not wish to have a wireless smart meter.

2. Establish procedures to inform customers that the AMI Program has been modified to include a smart meter opt-out option. A customer currently on the delay list shall be informed that the customer will be scheduled to receive a wireless smart meter unless the customer elects to exercise the opt-out option.

3. Adopt the following interim fees and charges for residential customers selecting the opt-out option:

For Non-CARE Customers:

Initial Fee $75.00

Monthly Charge $10.00/month

For CARE Customers:

Initial Fee $10.00

Monthly Charge $5.00/month

This interim fee and monthly charge shall apply to all gas and/or electric meters at the customer’s premise, provided the customer participating in the opt-out option is the customer of record.

4. Establish new two-way electric and gas memorandum accounts to track revenues and costs associated with providing the opt-out option until a final decision on costs and cost allocation issues associated with providing an analog meter opt-out proposal is issued.

As part of implementing the opt-out option, SDG&E shall comply with the following guidelines:

1. Residential customers may begin signing up to participate in the opt-out option 20 days after the effective date of this decision. SDG&E shall have a dedicated phone number for customers to call and sign up for the opt-out option. This number shall be staffed by customer service representatives trained to explain the opt-out option and fees.

2. Since a residential customer may opt-out for any reason, or no reason, SDG&E may not require a customer to explain or state why he or she wishes to participate in the opt-out option as a condition for signing up.⁴³

3. A customer may request to participate in the opt-out option at any time. However, a customer shall not be allowed to request to participate in the opt-out option at the same residence more than once during any twelve month period.

4. Customers may pay the initial fee to participate in the opt-out option over a three month period. If the customer does not pay the fee within this period, the customer will be removed from participating in the opt-out option and returned to the wireless smart meter.

5. SDG&E shall not charge customers the initial fee or the monthly charges until the analog meter has been installed at the customer’s residence.

6. Customers currently on the delay list shall be individually notified of the opt-out option by certified mail and shall have at least 30 days prior notice that their analog meter will be replaced with a wireless smart meter unless they contact SDG&E to participate in the opt-out option.

The September 21, 2011 Assigned Commissioner’s Ruling (ACR) directed the utilities to allow residential customers who had not yet received a wireless smart meter to retain their analog meter and be placed on a delay list while the Commission considered UCAN’s application. Since we are now modifying SDG&E’s AMI Project to include an opt-out option for smart meters, the ACR is no longer in effect for SDG&E.

This decision determines that a second phase in this proceeding is necessary to consider cost and cost allocation issues. We anticipate that a prehearing conference to discuss the scope and schedule of this second phase will be scheduled within 45 days of the date this decision is issued. The assigned Commissioner will issue a scoping memo to reflect the issues to be considered and schedule.

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ORDER

IT IS ORDERED that:

1. San Diego Gas & Electric Company’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project is modified to include an option for residential customers who do not wish to have a wireless smart meter installed at their location to have an analog meter.

2. Within 15 days of the effective date of this order, San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) shall file a Tier 1 advice letter in compliance with General Order 96-B. The advice letter shall be served on the service list in Application 11-03-015. The advice letter shall include tariff sheets to modify SDG&E’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project to include an opt-out option for customers who do not wish to have a wireless smart meter installed at their location and to implement a Smart Meter Opt-Out Tariff. The Advice Letter filing shall:

a. Establish procedures for residential customers to select the option to have an analog meter if they do not wish to have a wireless smart meter.

b. Establish procedures to inform customers currently on the delay list that a smart meter opt-out option is available and that the customer will be scheduled to receive a wireless smart meter unless the customer elects to exercise the opt-out option.

c. Adopt the following interim fees for residential customers selecting the opt-out option:

For Non-CARE Customers:

Initial Fee $75.00

Monthly Charge $10.00/month

For CARE Customers:

Initial Fee $10.00

Monthly Charge $5.00/month

This interim fee and monthly charge shall apply to all gas and/or electric meters at the customer’s premise, provided the customer participating in the opt-out option is the customer of record.

d. Establish new two-way electric and gas memorandum accounts to track revenues and costs associated with providing the smart meter opt-out option.

3. The September 21, 2011 Assigned Commissioner’s Ruling directing the utilities to allow residential customers who had not yet received a wireless smart meter to retain their analog meter and to be placed on a delay list shall no longer be in effect for San Diego Gas & Electric Company.

4. San Diego Gas & Electric Company shall comply with the guidelines stated in Section 7 of this decision.

5. The motion of Southern Californians for Wired Solutions to Smart Meters to have the Commission ask the California Department of Public Health to participate in this proceeding is denied.

6. Application 11-03-015 remains open.

This order is effective today.

Dated , at San Francisco, California.