Background
Our battle against mandated smart electric meters centers on the few lines of § 2807(f)(2) in a technically complicated piece of legislation, Act 129 of 2008:
(2) Electric distribution companies shall furnish smart
meter technology as follows:
(i) Upon request from a customer that agrees to pay
the cost of the smart meter at the time of the request.
The plain English reading of this section is consistent with other regulations of PA utility codes which say that participation in the Advanced Metering Infrastructure program is voluntary. The Legislative Journals from that time reflect this “no mandate” intent.
By contrast, the Public Utilities Commission, in its Implementation Order of 2009, converted “opt-in” to a mandate, and has prevailed in every instance with this deception from the time of the first Formal Complaint in 2010, through 300 subsequent Formal Complaints, 10 appeals to the Commonwealth Court, and finally to the one appeal to the PA Supreme Court (Povacz et.al. decided in August 2022). No one has gotten relief.
The PUC has told us the only remedy is to get the Legislature to change the law.
In response, we prepared a Meter Choice Bill (HB 1202)
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2023&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1202
This bill has sat in the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee for two legislative sessions. The Chair, Robert Matzie (D) Butler has refused to hold a hearing. Without a hearing, we cannot get a Committee vote to bring this to the House floor for a vote to pass this bill.
Our goal is to increase the pressure on Rep. Matzie through the following tactics:
· Renting billboard space within 1 mile of his Butler County district office in Ambridge;
· Taking out newspaper ads in his area;
· Distributing flyers, brochures and handouts; and
· Erecting yard signs in key areas.
If successful, we will require funds to cover travel expenses for expert witnesses at a hearing.
We believe we can accomplish the above for $5,000 and invite your financial support. We need $100, $50, or $25 donations. We appreciate any amount you can contribute by June 15. Our health is at stake. Please click on the button and contribute.
Thank you.
For questions, contact us/Rich Myers at lanctwp2020@protonmail.com