Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1112 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version

                             
PRINTER'S NO. 1234 
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL 
No.1112 
Session of 
2025 
INTRODUCED BY E. NELSON, B. MILLER, JAMES, COOK, DIAMOND, 
PICKETT, GILLEN, BANTA, SCIALABBA, FINK, ROWE, RADER AND 
LABS, APRIL 3, 2025 
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION, TECHNOLOGY AND 
UTILITIES, APRIL 3, 2025 
AN ACT
Amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania 
Consolidated Statutes, in restructuring of electric utility 
industry, further providing for definitions and for duties of 
electric distribution companies and providing for duties of 
public utilities.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1.  Section 2803 of Title 66 of the Pennsylvania 
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding definitions to read:
§ 2803.  Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter 
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the 
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Electromechanical  	analog  meter."   A meter attached  	by a  
public utility  	to  the  wiring of a  customer's  building or 
residence for the purpose of  	measuring  the  amount  of electricity  
consumed  by  the  customer or  to  supply  pipes for the purpose of  
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18 measuring  the  amount  of natural  gas  or  water  consumed  by the 
customer that meets all of the following criteria:
(1)  The m eter  has  no  wireless or  power line  data  
transmission  capabilities. 
(2)  The meter has no wireless or  	power line  reception 
capabilities.
(3)  The meter c 	ontains  no  switched-mode  	power  supply. 
(4)  If the meter is attached to the wiring of a 
customer's building or residence, the meter contains surge 
protection.
* * *
"Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program."  A   federally 
funded program that provides financial assistance in   the form of 
cash and crisis grants to low-income households for   home energy 
bills and is administered by the Department of  Human Services 	. 
"Natural gas distribution service."  As defined in section 
2202 (relating to definitions).
"Natural gas distribution utility."  A city natural gas 
distribution operation or entity that provides natural gas 
distribution services and may provide natural gas supply 
services and other services. The term does not include either of 
the following:
(1)  A public utility providing natural gas   distribution 
services subject to the jurisdiction of the  c ommission that  
has annual gas   operating revenues of less than $6,000,000 per  
year, except  where the public utility voluntarily petitions  
the commission   to be included within this definition or where  
the public  utility seeks to provide natural gas supply  
services to  retail gas customers outside its service  
territory.
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30 (2)  A public utility providing natural gas   distribution 
services subject to the jurisdiction of the   commission that  
is not connected to an interstate gas   pipeline by means of a  
direct connection or an indirect   connection through the  
distribution system of another natural   gas public utility or  
through a natural gas gathering system.
"Natural gas supply services."  As defined in section 2202.
* * *
"Water distribution utility."  An entity owning or operating 
equipment or facilities for diverting, developing, pumping, 
impounding, distributing or furnishing water to or for the 
public for compensation.
Section 2.  Section 2807(f)(2) of Title 66 is amended and the 
section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
§ 2807.  Duties of electric distribution companies.
* * *
(f)  Smart meter technology and time of use rates.--
* * *
(2)  [Electric] Except as provided under subsection 
(f.1), 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.
(ii)  In new building construction.
(iii)  In accordance with a depreciation schedule not 
to exceed 15 years.
* * *
(f.1)  Electromechanical analog meters.-- 	Notwithstanding the  
provisions of subsection (f), a  	customer  may elect to have   an  
electromechanical analog  	meter for use on the customer's  
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30 property  instead  of a  smart  meter  at  any  time with all 
consequent actual costs to be recovered from the customer as 
approved by the commission. The following shall apply:
(1)  A customer  	may  select  an electromechanical  	analog 
meter  by providing a notice to  	the electric distribution  
company  of the customer's selection.  	Upon  request by the  
customer, the electric distribution  	company shall  provide  a  
form  for the  customer to make a selection under this  
subsection by certified mail or electronically through the 
electric distribution  	company' s publicly  accessible  Internet 
website.
(2)  I f an electric distribution company has previously  
installed smart meter technology on a customer's property, 
the electric distribution company may charge the customer for 
the installation of an electromechanical analog meter and the 
actual costs incurred to provide service through the 
electromechanical analog meter as approved by the commission 
on a full and current basis. The following apply to billing:
(i)  The cost of the installation must be amortized 
over the next 12 months of billing unless the customer 
chooses to pay early.
(ii)  Any monthly costs associated with the use of 
the electromechanical analog meter must be billed 
monthly.
(3)  An electric distribution company may not assess any 
other additional fees, monthly or otherwise, to a customer 
who has paid for the installation of an electromechanical 
analog meter under paragraph (2).
(4)  A customer who qualifies for a customer assistance 
program, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or 
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30 other assistance with financial hardship in accordance with a  
public utility's guidelines shall qualify for assistance in 
paying for the installation of an electromechanical analog 
meter under paragraph (2).
(5)  An electric distribution company shall complete the 
installation of an electromechanical analog meter within a 
reasonable time period, but no later than 60 days after the 
customer's request to switch to an  	electromechanical  	analog 
meter under paragraph (1).
* * *
Section 3.  Title 66 is amended by adding a section to read:
§  2807.1.  Duties of public utilities. 
(a)  Usage reporting.--A public  	utility shall provide a  
customer with  	easily accessible  methods  to report energy usage  
on a  monthly  basis,  including  by  phone, certified  	mail  and  
online  reporting. 
(b)  Meter switching.-- 	No less than once annually, a  public 
utility shall inform a customer  	of the option to  	switch  the  
customer's current  	meter to  an  electromechanical  	analog  meter . 
(c)  Natural gas distribution utilities.--A natural gas 
distribution utility shall provide a customer with the option of 
a  usage-measuring  	meter  that  does  not transmit or  	receive 
wirelessly in accordance with the  	same requirements applicable  
to  an  electromechanical  	analog  meter under section 2807(f.1)  
(relating to duties of electric distribution companies) 	. 
(d)  Water distribution utilities.--A water distribution 
utility s hall provide a customer with the option of a  	usage- 
measuring  meter  that  does  not transmit or  	receive  wirelessly in 
accordance with the  	same requirements applicable to  an  
electromechanical  	analog  meter under section 2807(f.1) 	. 
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30 Section 4.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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