Vermont § 2811 - Smart meters; customer rights; reports

§ 2811. Smart meters; customer rights; reports

• (a) Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) “Smart meter” means a wired smart meter or a wireless smart meter. (2) “Wired smart meter” means an advanced metering infrastructure device using a fixed
  wire for two-way communication between the device and an electric company. (3) “Wireless smart meter” means an advanced metering infrastructure device using radio
  or other wireless means for two-way communication between the device and an electric
  company. (b) Customer rights. Notwithstanding any law, order, or agreement to the contrary, an electric company
  may install a wireless smart meter on a customer’s premises, provided the company: (1) provides prior written notice to the customer indicating that the meter will use radio
  or other wireless means for two-way communication between the meter and the company
  and informing the customer of his or her rights under subdivisions (2) and (3) of
  this subsection; (2) allows a customer to choose not to have a wireless smart meter installed, at no additional
  monthly or other charge; and (3) allows a customer to require removal of a previously installed wireless smart meter
  for any reason and at an agreed-upon time, without incurring any charge for such removal. (c) Reports. On January 1, 2014 and again on January 1, 2016, the Commissioner of Public Service
  shall publish a report on the savings realized through the use of smart meters, as
  well as on the occurrence of any breaches to a company’s cyber-security infrastructure.
  The reports shall be based on electric company data requested by and provided to the
  Commissioner of Public Service and shall be in a form and in a manner the Commissioner
  deems necessary to accomplish the purposes of this subsection. The reports shall be
  submitted to the Senate Committees on Finance and on Natural Resources and Energy
  and the House Committees on Commerce and Economic Development and on Energy and Technology. (d) Health report. (1) On or before January 15, 2013, the Commissioner of Health and the Commissioner of
  Public Service shall jointly submit a report to the Senate Committee on Finance and
  the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development. The report shall include:
  an update of the Department of Health’s 2012 report entitled “Radio Frequency Radiation
  and Health: Smart Meters”; a summary of the Department’s activities monitoring the
  deployment of wireless smart meters in Vermont, including a representative sample
  of postdeployment radio frequency level testing; and recommendations relating to evidence-based
  surveillance on the potential health effects of wireless smart meters. (2) The Commissioner of Public Service, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health,
  shall select and retain an independent expert, not an employee of the State, to perform
  the research and writing of the report identified in subdivision (1) of this subsection.
  The Commissioner of Public Service may allocate the costs of retaining the independent
  expert to electric utilities in accordance with sections 20 and 21 of this title (particular proceedings; personnel; assessment of costs). (Added 2011, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 15, eff. May 18, 2012; amended 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 174a.)