Officials put smart-meter opt-outs on hold

The state Bureau of Consumer Protection on Tuesday asked for and received a stay halting the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada’s Thursday order to let NV Energy start replacing smart meters of those opposed to the devices.

The bureau said in its request for a stay that it wants the commission to take another look at allowing ratepayers to keep their current analog meters and at the pricing structure that would follow.

The commission approved a $98.75 one-time charge and a $9 monthly fee for ratepayers who didn’t want a smart meter. Instead of the meter, which transmits power-use data wirelessly to NV Energy several times a day, consumers could opt for a digital meter that doesn’t send signals and must be manually read once a month.

But during a meeting to discuss the final order, Commissioner Rebecca Wagner said she was concerned the board didn’t give enough thought to letting consumers simply keep their analog meters.

The commission did consider the analog option in an earlier filing in February but dismissed the alternative after NV Energy experts testified that the older devices were becoming less accurate and more expensive to maintain as they grew more obsolete.

NV Energy officials said late Tuesday that they will suspend further action on opt-outs until the commission resolves the matter.

The Bureau of Consumer Protection has until Dec. 11 to file its petition. The commission then will have 45 days to hear the case.

Contact reporter Jennifer Robison at jrobison@review journal.com or 702-380-4512. Follow @J_Robison1 on Twitter.