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Board discusses AMI opt-out work as member cites Senate Bill 4; staff to verify applicability
Summary
Members raised automated meter infrastructure (AMI) and an opt-out policy; one member cited Senate Bill 4 as establishing an AMI opt-out, and staff said they will verify whether the statute applies to publicly owned utilities and will draft an internal policy and business case for AMI.
Board members discussed the status of automated metering infrastructure (AMI) planning and an opt-out policy during board comments.
A board member said he was aware that “Senate Bill 4 that was passed and signed by the governor last August provides a statewide blanket of opt out for AMI systems for those who decide they don't want that or want to opt out.” He characterized the statute as a guarantee of opt-out rights.
The deputy city manager responded that his understanding is that the statute applies to utilities governed by the state public utility commission and not necessarily to publicly owned utilities such as the city's, and said staff will verify that interpretation. “I think that those are related to utilities that are governed by the public utility commission, and not publicly owned utilities, but I will verify that,” he said.
Staff also said they are working on the city’s internal opt-out policy and related procedures and that an AMI business case and presentation will be prepared before a full AMI policy comes to the board and council.
Board members stressed that, even if state law applies, the city should put its own internal policy and procedures in place to implement or reinforce any statutory protections for customers who wish to opt out of AMI.
