AG, Eversource Differ On Impact Of 'Smart Meter' Technology In CT

HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has filed comments with the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority that seek "scrutiny" of an Eversource proposal shift to "smart meter" technology.

Tong said the plan could charge ratepayers $620 million for the new meters.

The comments do not oppose the transition to smart meter technology, which is designed to aid storm recovery and help monitor and manage energy consumption. Rather, his comments question whether Eversource's plan "benefits all ratepayers and makes economic sense." Tong said the transition could add up to $5 per month to residential electric bills in the coming years.

Eversource is seeking to replace nearly one million meters, records show. Tong said United Illuminating "has been strategically phasing in smart meter technology since 2010 with no material impact on rates."

Eversource released the following statement to Patch:

"We appreciate Attorney General Tong's support for a transition to smart meter technology because it can aid storm recovery and help customers monitor and manage energy consumption. The use of smart meter technology is unique to each utility system. There are differences between the timing, scope and functionality of the smart metering technology installed by UI and the technology that Eversource intends to install. As part of its advanced metering docket, PURA has challenged us to come up with creative ways to minimize bill impact on customers and we have taken up that challenge and plan to work with stakeholders and PURA to find a good result that works for all of our customers and realizes the quantifiable benefits that today’s metering technology will unlock for our customers."

See the full set of comments from Tong here.