Title
Public Hearing for Modification of Department of Public Utilities Rules & Regulations - Addition of Rule GR-16: Advanced Metering Infrastructure
Recommended Action
I move the Board of Public Utilities approve modifications to the Department of Public Utilities Rules & Regulations - Addition of new Rule GR-16: Advanced Metering Infrastructure.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the proposed rule.
Body
In November, 2018, the Board of Public Utilities approved Services Agreement AGR19-912 with Ferguson Incorporated for system-wide deployment of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). During previous discussions on the project, some concern was raised by members of the Board and the Public regarding potential public disclosure under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act of a customer’s incremental, short-duration usage data. As part of the approval motion, the Board revised its previously adopted direction to DPU Staff, and directed Staff return with a Rule allowing customers to opt out of the AMI program with no penalties or fees. At its regular meeting on December 18, 2018, the Los Alamos County Council approved the contract with Ferguson, but required the BPU to finalize an opt out policy before the contract could be executed. At a meeting of the joint BPU/CC coordinating committee on February 8, 2019, it was agreed that the Board would consider a DPU Rule allowing for opt outs that would also detail how the public would be informed. If Rule GR-16 is adopted by the Board, the County Council would then consider authorizing execution of the Ferguson contract.
Alternatives
If the Board does not adopt the attached Rule GR16, the County Council may or may not authorize execution of the AMI contract.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
Fiscal impact of allowing opt outs for AMI were discussed at length during the discussion before the Board approved the Ferguson contract. It is the opinion of Staff that opt outs would have to exceed 25% of the customer base before significant financial impacts would be felt.
Attachments
A- Proposed Rule GR-16 Advanced Metering Infrastructure