Requires electric public utilities to obtain written consent and provide written disclosure prior to installing smart meters.
Summary
S3943 would require an electric public utility to obtain a customer’s written consent before installing an advanced or smart energy meter. It also requires the utility to provide a written disclosure explaining what data the meter will transmit, how that data will be used, and whether it may be disclosed to third parties. The bill is framed as a consumer-notice and privacy measure rather than a ban on smart meters.
The bill defines an advanced or smart energy meter as a device that records electric usage in greater detail than a conventional meter, provides real-time or hourly usage and pricing information, stores hourly data, reports service status to the utility, and can remotely connect or disconnect service. The act would take effect 90 days after enactment and would supplement Title 48 of the Revised Statutes, which governs public utilities in New Jersey.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would add a new customer-consent and disclosure requirement to New Jersey utility law before smart meters can be installed. Electric public utilities would need to change installation procedures, customer communications, and potentially data-handling practices to ensure the required written notice and consent are obtained. The bill would affect residential and other utility customers receiving smart meter installations, and it could also influence how utilities describe data collection, sharing, and third-party access under state regulation.
Sentiment
The bill’s stated purpose and supporting statement reflect a generally cautious, privacy-oriented sentiment toward smart meter deployment. The discussion in the bill text emphasizes consumer awareness, data privacy, and the possibility that smart meter data can reveal household behavior and occupancy patterns. No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no recorded legislative debate or formal vote sentiment to assess beyond the bill’s own framing.
Contention
The main point of contention is the balance between utility modernization and customer privacy. Supporters of the bill appear concerned that smart meters collect detailed, potentially sensitive information about household activity and that customers should knowingly agree before installation. Utilities or proponents of smart meter rollout may view the written-consent requirement as an operational burden or a barrier to broader deployment, especially if smart meter installation is intended to be routine or systemwide. The bill also raises questions about what disclosures are sufficient and how the Board will determine the form of written consent.