April 13, 2018 • Regional News
KOB 4: PRC rejects PNM's smart meter proposal
SANTA FE, N.M. - State regulators threw out a PNM proposal to install half a million smart meters, expressing concerns it would ultimately be bad for customers.
The Public Regulations Commission announced Wednesday it reached the decision by a unanimous vote. PNM wanted to switch to an Advanced Metering Infrastructure. The system would have allowed the electric utility to access the meters remotely.
PNM said it would have saved money in labor costs, but the PRC commissioners weren't convinced how cost efficient it would be.
"After several hearings, I felt the program was clearly not in the best interest of the public," PRC Chairman Sandy Jones said. "I held public meetings in Silver City and Deming and many of my constituents agreed."
Specifically, the PRC worried about the $121 million it would cost to install the infrastructure. Commissioners also had reservations about a $42.72 per month opt-out fee for customers and the layoffs of 125 PNM employees who physically read the meters.
"This technology has great potential but it needs to be maximized not minimized," Commissioner Cynthia B. Hall said.
Source: http://www.kob.com/business-news/prc-rejects-pnm-smart-meter-proposal/4862390/
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