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.