Utility Dive, August 11, 2014.
Dive Brief:
- Texas has spent more than $2.5 billion installing smart meters across the state since 2007, but has struggled to help low-income customers take full advantage of the new technology, according to the Texas Tribune.
- In 2009, state regulators ordered utilities Oncor, CenterPoint and AEP Texas to assist low-income Texans by budgeting $18.5 million to provide them with Home and Business Area Networks (HAN) to help utilize the smart meters. The funds, however, have not been used.
- The result, consumer advocates argue, is that low-income families are paying for smart meters they cannot fully use.